By Tyrone Reid, Staff Reporter
Freeze: Members of the Region 5 Drama Group in one of the most intense scenes from their performance on Saturday night at 'ConDram' which was held at Olson Hall, Ardenne High School, St. Andrew. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
THE REGION 5 Drama Group stood heads and shoulders above the other performers at 'ConDram A Fusion of Music, Speech, Dance and Drama' at the Olson Hall, Ardenne High School, St. Andrew, on Saturday night.
The drama sect delivered an awesome piece at the showcase, which was presented by Region 5 Youth Fellowship Church of God in Jamaica as a part of their annual celebration. This year Region 5 is celebrating their 13th anniversary.
The theatrical serving was devoured by an audience that seemingly could not get enough. One member of the audience told The Gleaner why she was up in arms about the skit. "... it is interesting and realistic," said 32-year-old Camile Johnson.
REALISTIC
Realistic it was. The play was centred around real issues faced by young Christian people. Some of which had to do with having relationships with non-Christians and working on Sundays when you are supposed to be at church, amongst many others.
Members of the Region 5 Drama Group played their roles to a 'T' and the audience loved it. The other billed performers were dub-poet Sheldon Shepherd, Aria Livingstone from the Praise Academy of Dancers and The Muir Sisters.
When The Gleaner arrived just after eight, The Muir Sisters were front and centre, entertaining the audience. The duo, dressed in blouses with skirts hovering just a tad above their ankles, delivered a few praise and worship anthems that included Shout To The Lord and Behold He Comes.
Their vocals were not bad but it was not the 'bomb' either. They managed to earn themselves some whistles and a healthy round of applause at their departure.
During the intermission The Gleaner spoke with Nikki Foster, 14, and she seemed to be lapping up most of what was being offered. "I like the songs and I like the play because it is funny, but the dancing was kind of boring," she said.
HIGHPOINT
Another highpoint of 'ConDram' came when MC Markland Edwards, formerly of Love FM but now Programmes Manager at JACS Cable, touched on another real issue that has been turning heads in Christendom. The pencil-thin MC said Christians should have their own dance moves instead of emulating secular dance moves.
He then unmasked a new dance move he dubbed 'Read The Book'. The dance starts with hands held together and close to the face as if you were reading a book. A little body movement is added as well as the opening and closing of the hands while they are brought from left to right.
By the looks of things it seemed that the audience embraced the concept. Before the show ended patrons were practising 'Read The Book'.
Before leaving, The Gleaner spoke with Dexter Johnson, the chairman of the Region 5 Church of God in Jamaica. Since the venue was not full the chairman was tossed the question as to why this was so.
He said it was because the 'ConDram' was the third and final phase of activities for the day. "It is a fair turnout considering that we have had people all day and they will have to be coming back tomorrow," Johnson said.
