It was a joyous afternoon on Sunday, January 24, when the Little Theatre Movement (LTM) staged Runner Boy as its pantomime for 2008/09. Written around the story of the world's fastest athlete, Runner Boy follows the pantomime tradition of the triumph of good over evil, or, as in this case, the triumph of industry, dedication and hard work over the other quick but unethical ways to financial success.

Wonderful to experience

Success of the presentation comes from the fact that it is embedded in the culture of the people of runner boy's village. And it was wonderful to experience that spontaneous demonstration of community pride when he wins the 'Biglympics' race and moves on to international fame and fortune. This two-way flow of energy electrified both audience and performers.

The production demonstrated seamless and excellent teamwork in dress, set design, music and stage production. If at times some tunes were not altogether original, it is because it's part of the tradition, also, to provide familiar tunes in which audiences can sing or hum along. In any event, this helps to set in motion that flow of psychic energy between actor and audience, which ensures success.

I left the theatre with a feeling that night that this was one of the finer pantomimes I had attended, and that Mrs Barbara Gloudon and her highly skilled team deserve every credit for their persistent efforts in attempting to keep the pantomime relevant in our changing Jamaican society, and in touch with the technological advances in the new world in which we are living. This is how national theatres are created and sustained, and this is what the LTM has always attempted to do since its inception in 1941.

Wycliffe Bennett is the former chairman of the Creative Production and Training Centre, the Jamaica School of Drama and the Jamaica School of Music.