Audley Green, 'Pirate Jack' giving his first public performance in this year's National Pantomime of the same name, at the launch in the Little, Little Theatre on Tom Redcam Avenue on Monday night.

Like the anticipated Christmas breeze, the annual Little Theatre Movement (LTM) Pantomime provides a fresh air in Jamaican theatre. Usually the titles are catchy, the humour and language wholesome and the spectacle, breathtaking. Pantomime lovers should expect no less from the 2009/10 production, Pirate Jack. In fact, "We should expect elegance," Robert Clarke told The Gleaner at the launch on Monday night at the Little Little Theatre on Tom Redcam Avenue.

As the title suggests, Pirate Jack is based on aspects of Jamaican history when pirates ruled supreme on the seas. But the story also addresses topical issues, such as environmental concerns. There is also the message of hope.

Clarke, who is in his eighth season as director, explained in part that he "is trying to bring history to present ... create a fusion for understanding and at the same time be entertained. The challenge is to create a balance between yesterday and today."

It was evident that the cast and production team are on their way to achieving this balance. In the customary LTM style, the cast was brought onstage for a peek at Pantomime 2009/10. The fusion of genres was evident in the dances and the songs. Build Up Di Fire is a song with strong Kumina influence, while the pirates vent their anger and frustration to a hip-hop beat.

Additionally, while the Barbara Gloudon-penned story and lyrics may have a contemporary spin, the production will capture some high-seas drama, as the story unfolds on the deck of Jack's ship, the seashore and on a mangrove cay called 'Jankro Bay'.

The small (by default) audience was also given a glimpse of the characters. They comprise two groups - pirates and villagers. Their names are enough to crack you up: Maddan Law (Jack's mother-in-law) Rusty Nail, Mackerel Mack and Stormy Weddah. These characters will be brought to life by pantomime veterans such as Jacqueline Higgins and Faith Bucknor, along with the regular members of the company, and some new faces.

Costumes and movements are important features of the spectacle of pantomime. Kevin Moore and Anya Gloudon-Nelson are once again responsible for these key technical areas. Moore as choreographer and Gloudon-Nelson as costume designer. Like Clarke, Gloudon-Nelson faces some challenges. She describes it in one word, 'recession'.

"Because of recession, costumes will have to be reused, pants will become skirts. Luckily the pirates need faded clothes," she explained. But all is not lost to recession because, by cutting back, she will still be able to produce colourful costumes where needed.

Major challenge

Moore, on the other hand, has no major challenge as he relies on the rhythm of Grub Cooper for his inspiration. He promised a mixture of genres such as Kumina, mento, ska and blues.

Rounding off the technical staff are Michael Lorde, set designer; Symonne Coombs, props; Michael McDonald, lights; and Sylvester Campbell, sound. Larry Watson is the stage manager.

Pirate Jack will open on Saturday, December 26 at 6 p.m.

The full company performing the Kumina song 'Build up the Fire' in the finalé of this year's National Pantomine, 'Pirate Jack'.

The frustrated fisherfolk of Sea Grape Fishing Beach in this year's National Pantomime, 'Pirate Jack'.