Woodham, McNally and Peart

Coleen Lewis has certainly struck a different chord with an all-male cast in her upcoming comedy revue RRR 2K9.

The show features O'neil Peart, Max Woodham, Craig McNally, Peter Abrikian, Marlon Campbell, Kadeem Wilson and JR Watkis. RRR 2K9 is written and produced by Lewis, directed by Jerry Benzwick, with music by Ewan Simpson.

Lewis said she decided to do a revue with an all-male cast because of her desire to come up with different ideas.

"I always try to do something different," Lewis told The Sunday Gleaner.

Proper promotion

And with a very manly cast, the revue is sure to pique people's interest. "We know people would initially raise their eyebrows because there are no females in the cast," Lewis said.

But with the proper promotion and advertising, Lewis hopes people will be able to appreciate the show and its content as it is about male issues and situations that are special to Jamaica.

The term 'RRR' is one which Lewis said is used mainly by men, but means different things depending on the circumstances. She said it can be used as a greeting, affirmation or question.

Lewis said: "I've been in a few revues. I have just been fascinated with Jamaican life and life just seems like a play with different scenarios that inspired me to write.

"It's a revue collection of sketches which promote commentary and scenarios within the society from a comedic point. It allows you to have a look at yourself, culture and in many cases serious issues, but in a very palatable way."

Some of the issues addressed are the recent attempted hijacking at Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Ragashanti and the Broadcasting Commission, greetings from the United Kingdom and Sting.

In the Sting sketch, the men will play dancehall artistes D'Angel and Bar-Bee, who promoter Isaiah Laing wants to clash with each other at his annual stage show.

McNally said, "The cast is talented and each of us bring a different kind of masculinity to the show."

Confident of success

With cast members having acting and singing experience, Lewis hopes the comedy will be well received.

Peart said the show has nice moments for laughter and he hopes the public will respond well to it.

McNally is also confident of its success, especially among the women.

"It's all right if the men don't come, the women will make up for them and I'm sure they will enjoy it 'cause the man dem inna di show nuh have any tree a grow inna dem face," McNally laughingly said.

RRR 2K9 will be onstage at Theatre Place, Haining Road, New Kingston, from May 7-31, Thursdays to Sundays.