Simple Simpleman (Christopher Daley) snubs Rufus Gruff (Winston Bell) and his two daughters Drizella (Dahlia Harris) and Punella (Claudette Pious). - File THE QUESTION of whether or not Jamaicans are interested in theatre has been bandied about almost unceasingly. However, Cindy-Relisha and the Deejay Prince is attempting to put a seal on the argument when it stages its 200th performance tomorrow at the Centre Stage Theatre, New Kingston.
The play, written by Patrick Brown and directed by Trevor Nairne, opened on Boxing Day last year and continues to be sold out at least, at the Centrestage location. According to Lenford Salmon, one of the managers of Jambiz productions, the 200 performances include six overseas showings and the stagings in several of Jamaica's rural towns.
The reactions of patrons on the opening night of the performance, as they laughed, held their bellies and slapped their neighbours in delight should have indicated that the production had what it takes to make the long haul. Salmon noted, however, that when the production opened Jambiz had not expected this sustained run.
Cindy-Relisha is supposedly Jambiz's Christmas 2002 production, but given its run to the present date they may have to change what it is called. Glen Campbell, who plays dual roles as Tipsy and Sheggy (the DJ Prince) and Christopher Daley as 'Simple Simpleman' lead the cast in the hilarious comedy.
Since the opening of the production, two alternates have been introduced. Teisha Duncan shares the roles of Drizella Cruff and Addassa with Dahlia Harris. Winston Bell, the production's major villain 'Rufus Cruff', now alternates with Karl Williams.
Salmon told The Gleaner that the play will come to an end in mid-August, when they will open Oliver Large Abroad. Oliver Large Abroad will only run for two weeks at Centre Stage, however, before touring the United States.
Salmon noted that Oliver and Pinnochio (last year) had been staged until October; however, he noted that Cindy-Relisha and the DJ Prince is the only one of their productions to have had such a sustained long run.
