Some people might wonder what play mas is within the
carnival scene, and its importance to the countries cultural landscape? Play mas is the national carnival for the
nation of Trinidad, and the Orange Tree Theatre’s production of Mustapha Mutura’s
play, ‘Play Mas’ was a curious depiction of how politics and manipulation can
co-exist with one another, in addition, the performances were well considered.
‘Play Mas’ was originally staged in 1974, which transports
us to Port of Spain, Trinidad during the late 1050’s-1963 where we are introduced
to Ramjohn Gookol , a Trinidad born tailor who has an infinite passion for his
work. He does have a slight annoyance with his mother, Miss Gookool (Melanie La
Barrie) authoritarian attitude as she keeps reminding him that he is an “Indian”,
even though he was born in Trinidad. Their apprentice, Samuel is excited that play
mas is about to commence, however once Ramjohn decides that he wants to see
what it is about, his mother begrudges the idea and says that he’s not to go.
He does accept his mother’s demands and does not go. When Samuel, dressed as a soldier tricks
Ranjohn and Miss Gookool by pretending to shoot them it soon leads to his
dismissal from working there. This causes Mrs Gookool to become distressed and
she has a heart-attack, and when the drunken Doctor (David Morteith) announces she
has now passed away, Ramjohn turns to alcohol. We fast forward a couple of years where Samuel
has become the new government’s police commissioner in post-independence; he is
married to Mrs Samuel (Lorr Barker). To
retain the countries “state of emergency”, he chooses to suspend the play mas
celebrations for that year and as such; this causes uproar from locals Mrs
Banks (Llwella Gideon), Mr Tate (Kirris Riviere)and Mr Lyle (Kevin N Gordon)
where they plead for him to reconsider.
Additionally, Samuel and Ramjohn reunite after a long absence, but
Samuel has other motives for this reunion and his is concerned by allegations
of terrorist activity and requests that his former friend to seek out such
claims. He receives this information and
begins to plan to obliterate the miscreants and allows play mas to happen and
with help from Chuck Reynolds (Rob Healey) the battles begin. Matura’s
narrative is wild and vibrant as we are given an interesting insight into how
carnivals are poignant to the cultures of Caribbean nations and the conspiracies
around the techniques of certain people to allow this to take place.
One found the performances by the company of, ‘Play Mas’ to
be very triumphant as they grasp the humour and moving elements during the
show. Johann Myers is tremendous as the Indian/Trinidadian tailor, Ramjohn;
mainly when you see him break down in tears when he comes to terms with him
mothers’ death in a drunk and disorderly fashion. Also his Caribbean accent is dazzling so
congrats to Claudette Williams for her fine vocal coaching. Seun Shote is
lovely as tailor’s apprentice/police commissioner, Samuel; predominately his
aloofness transgresses when he positions the chairs in his office to signify
his importance.
Paulette Randall’s direction is scintillating here as she
has been able to grip us into a warm and tropical milieu when you see how imperative
identity is to a nation and the elements that are required to show its
brilliance. Libby Watson’s designs are stupendous as the Orange Tree Theatre’s
in-the-round configuration enables you to observe the carnival and the costumes
that are worn to signify specific characters. As such; the costumes are a sight
to behold; especially the amount of glitter displayed on the female dresses.
Overall, the experience of, ‘Play Mas’ was an euphoric performance and a wonderful
selection for the theatre’s season.
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