EMBRACING HOPE for renewal and a secure future, Comrades of all stripes tucked themselves into the small car park at the People's National Party's (PNP) Old Hope Road headquarters last Friday evening.

They came to celebrate, but it was a birthday party without confetti or fanfare. Under soft lights, in front of an unadorned stage, they gathered, some to reminisce, and others to reflect on the party's journey over 71 years.

A curtain-raiser for the annual conference of the PNP, the night was as dramatic as it was historic. Notable playwright, Louis Marriot, had the lead role as he took the audience through the early days of struggle in the late 1930s.

He read: "And so to the evening of Sunday, September 18, 1938, the Ward Theatre was packed and hundreds crowded North Parade and Victoria Gardens. Norman Manley and Stafford Cripps, a cousin-in-law of Edna Manley, were the two main speakers at the launching (of the PNP).

just like 'daddy'

Norman Washington Manley, founder of the party, was portrayed by Patrick Atkinson who carried the message of unity and hope just as 'daddy' Manley would have. His rendition of Manley's acceptance speech as party leader on September 18, 1938, at the Ward Theatre was received with spontaneous applause.

Manley's favourite hymn - There were 90 and Nine, said Atkinson, was the leader's response to his loss at the first polls in Jamaica in December 1944. The audience loved it; they stood and sang.

Atkinson eloquently reminded Comrades that "the formation of the party was the culmination of the efforts of several persons to harness the progressive ideas of the time and to push for self-government".

Manley, he said, spoke of a new era in Jamaica's history, stressing the "tremendous difference between living in a place and belonging to it, and feeling that your own life and your destiny were irrevocably bound up in the life and destiny of that place. Radical change was under way."

Micheal Manley, who took the reigns of the party from his father, was played by Ronald Thwaites. His impersonation of the giant Comrade leader of years, did nothing to stir emotions. The selection, however, of My Leader Born Ya by Neville Martin, enlivened the audience.

good to be here

Then came P.J. Patterson who played himself. To the strains of Bob Andy's Young, Gifted and Black, he took the podium amid screams of "We say PJ!"

"It's good to be here," he greeted party fans before launching into some of the party's achievements. The former prime minister was forceful as he called for a rebuilding of the party. Throwing some good barbs at critics of the party, he said he was ready and "still live and direct".

It was time for PNP party leader, Portia Simpson Miller to take the stage. She also played herself. Prior to her arrival, noted gospel singer Sandra Brooks did two gospel hits, including a favourite of Simpson Miller's - Can't Even Walk.

Simpson Miller, svelte and sombre, spoke of the party's achievements and visions for rebuilding. She gave the audience a glimpse of the party's conference agenda this weekend.

The night ended with the cutting of the birthday cake, done by Simpson Miller and PJ Patterson.

lovelette.brooks@gleanerjm.com