By Justin Whyte, Entertainment Editor
Members of the Cathi Levy Players in performance. - File photo
It has piqued the curiosity of those travelling by road and air. The purple, aqua and blue multiplex with red, blue and magenta roof, which once recessed into shrubbery and high hedges at 10a West Kings House Road, Kingston, has been taken over by former beauty queen Cathi Levy and partner Jacqueline Canni and artistic licence was applied.
Theatreville will be the new sign hanging at the entrance of the property on lease from film producer, Perry Henzell, as of December 18, when it officially becomes the home of the Cathi Levy Academy Of The Performing Arts (CLAPArts) and a place offering wide activities. In fact, there are plans to have a one-week opening
celebration ending on December 24.
The complex is the latest project by Miss Levy, which has been conceived "to be an embodiment of all things theatrical", which she hopes will "engender within the private and public sectors an abundance of interest, involvement and pride in the theatre, leading to greater corporate patronage which, in turn, will enable, a higher level of professionalism in all areas of local theatrical productions."
Miss Levy and Miss Canni put their plans on hold for almost a year to create what they have declared as a 'non- smoking environment'. They painted most of the run-down buildings themselves and got former and present members of the Little People and Teen Time Club, along with the Cathi Levy Players (a more mature group), friends and family members to assist in cleaning up the grounds, replacing termite-riddled wood with concrete, constructing new rooms, replacing electrical wires and giving the fencing a facelift.
"My favourite colours are purple, aqua and blue. I use them as the main colours and others to complement or tone. I want the place to be full of love, a place loaded with fun," Miss Levy said.
Budget
She told Showbiz that the year-long project was done without a budget and a definite source of income.
"It was done through gifts and goodwill by people who share my vision," she said. "For example, I needed some booths built for the week of festivities in December and I asked my carpenter to build them in lieu of rental for living in the caretaker's cottage. In addition, he will be paid for his substantive job," she continued.
She also disclosed that she has been in talks with the next-door neighbour to lease an open lot for parking facilities.
"We have good neighbours", Miss Levy said. "We do not burn anything around here to make neighbours uncomfortable."
On completion, Theatreville will boast a studio theatre and rehearsal studio, a conservatory (voice and music studio), an actors studio, conference lecture room, a theatre village, which is a square with shops such as a shoe-repair outlet, bakery and deli, juice bar, as well as a tavern where after-theatre patrons can hang out.
The complex will be administered from a main office building with a lounge and sick bay, as well as guest rooms. The school of the performing arts is to be administered by a principal and a staff of 18 instructors.
A recording studio to provide recording opportunities for children is also part of the plan, so too is a photographic studio and gallery.
A park, a garden theatre and an area to accommodate trailers for make-up, lighting, sound, costumes and set designs are to be part of the complex.
There is to be an Entertainers Walk, where artistes will be encouraged to draw or inscribe writings on stones which will be specially prepared.
Theatreville will be opened for parties for children, adults and pets.
Show
A grand show is being planned for December 18, under the theme 'Christmas-time At Theatreville', with Christmas market, donkey rides, among other exciting games. The Cathi Levy Players will also be staging 'Snow, Star and Starlight'.
Miss Levy's involvement in the performing arts formally began in 1988 when she set up the Little People and Teen Time Club as "a wholesome outlet" for young people from 7 to 19 to learn and perfect skills in the performing arts.
But in 1992 that dream was almost shattered with a public display of a bitter split among the young people. But on the following Sunday , she picked up the pieces and launched the Little People and Teen Players Club.
The late John Jones, Joey Clarke, Munair Zacca and other members of the original players regrouped to form the senior group of players.
"We have a board and a Friends of Theatreville Foundation, who will be planning fund-raisers and seeing to the general functioning of the school," said an optimistic Cathi Levy.
And as a sign of success, she made reference to a hive of bees which had moved into a tree on the property and was making honey. She saw them as focused and hard working, traits which epitomised her
philosophy.
