Performing Arts

Theater

Jamaica has a vibrant tradition in theater, pantomime, and spoken word performances, with annual shows and competitions sponsored by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (www.jcdc.org.jm). Events are held throughout the year but come to a head during the weeks around Emancipation and Independence in early August.

Little Theatre Movement, the Little-Little Theatre, and the National Dance Theatre Company (4 Tom Redcam Ave., tel. 876/926-6129, www.ltmpantomime.com) share a property on the edge of Downtown. The Xaymaca Dance Theatre also performs here in late October. Plays run throughout the year; call for details on performances. Pantomime performances run December 26–early May, with school plays after that. The National Dance Theatre performs July–August. Henry Fowler, Rex Nettleford, Barbara Gloudon, Louise "Miss Lou" Bennett, Oliver Samuels, and Ken Hill are some of the founding members of the Little Theatre Movement.

Centre Stage Theatre (70 Dominica Dr., beside New Kingston Shopping Centre, tel. 876/960-3585, annual performance series info 876/968-7529) is a small venue where productions tend to be family-oriented musicals in a mixture of English and Patois. Centre Stage usually holds two annual performance series, August–November, and December 26–late April/early May. For further information contact Rosie Williams at Jambiz International (876/754-3877, www.jambizonline.com). The cast usually includes renowned Jamaican comedians Oliver Samuels and Glen "Titus" Campbell.

Green Gables Theatre (6 Cargill Ave., off Half Way Tree Rd., 876/926-4966 or 876/929-5315, www.jamaicastages.com) is the venue for Stages Production plays, which typically run at 8 p.m. Wednesday–Saturday and with two shows at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Sunday.

The Louise Bennett Garden Theatre and the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre (36 Hope Rd., tel. 876/926-5726, hrd@jcdc.org.jm, www.jcdc.org.jm) host occasional plays and concerts as well as bingo, book launches, and barbecues a couple of times a month.

Phillip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts (UWI Mona, tel. 876/927-1047) puts on UWI productions, including those of the student dance society. The building that houses the arts center is architecturally impressive.

The Theatre Place (8 Haining Road, 876/908-0040) is Kingston's newest theatrical venue, opened in late 2009 and run by Pablo Hoilett (cell tel. 876/364-4752, themediaplanet@gmail.com). The theater typically puts on comedies and other plays (admission US$12).

Ward Theatre (North Parade, Downtown, tel. 876/922-0360 or 876/922-0453) holds occasional plays, pantomimes, and special events.

Pantry Playhouse (2 Dumfries Rd., tel. 876/960-9845, admission US$12–15) features comical productions throughout the year in a quaint outdoor setting in the heart of New Kingston. Plays usually run for three months, and performances are generally held Wednesday–Sunday. Me and Mi Chapsie, a play about older women going with younger men, was a popular play performed in 2009 and a good example of the comical lean to most of these productions.

The outdoor amphitheatre at Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts (1 Arthur Winter Dr., tel. 876/929-2350) hosts poetry readings on the last Tuesday of every month starting at 7:30 p.m.; regular dance performances are held in the indoor theatre next door.