Scene from “The Wedding Chronicles” staged by Judah Jubilee Company at Philipsburg Cultural Centre.
PHILIPSBURG--Judah Jubilee Company’s (JJC’s) first stage play entitled “The Wedding Chronicles”, which was performed before capacity crowds at Philipsburg Cultural Centre on June 7 and June 9, was hailed by the audience as a powerful story about relationships, weddings and marriage.
With the performances sold out on both evenings, Sunday evening saw audience members standing in the aisles to witness Judah Jubilee Company’s first performance after word spread of how powerful the Friday evening’s sold-out performance had been.
JJC Board President Rolando Tobias, who functioned as Master of Ceremonies on Sunday evening, stated that the capacity crowd was evidence of the fact that the island is appreciative of and hungry for more live stage plays, but most important, that there is a need for a larger and more sophisticated centre for the performing arts.
Having to introduce the second half of the play in the dark to keep the audience in suspense and not reveal the converted stage before the last scene started, Tobias also reiterated the need for a stage curtain.
The actors put on some very impressive performances in “The Wedding Chronicles”. This became evident from the audience’s responses during the performance and from their comments as they greeted the cast at the end of both evenings.
Writer and director Jamila Javois-Arrindell said she was elated, as the audience’s responses, which ranged from laughter to suspicion and from surprise and sadness to reflection, were just what the play was intending to elicit.
“We wanted to take the audience on an emotional rollercoaster ride and the range of responses indicated that the objective had been met. Along with the emotions, we also wanted to ensure that the dialogue and acting provided powerful messages for all to take away,” she said.
In introducing the young cast and the board at the end of the evenings’ performances, she had high praise for the cast’s dedication and professionalism. She thanked the audience for its overwhelming support and expressed appreciation to the many sponsors, supporting cast and the general public who all made JJC’s first stage play a success.
The company was founded in April 2019 and its objective is to develop local talent in the areas of drama, vocal training and professional development.
