1991/92 LTM NATIONAL PANTOMIME MAN DEH YAH

Book and Lyrics by Barbara Gloudon with additional material by Trevor Fearon Directed by Brian Heap Music by Grub Cooper with additional numbers by Noel Dexter & Pluto Shervington Set by Michael Lorde Costumes by Anya Gloudon Props by Symonne Coombs Movement by Rex Nettleford and L’antoinette Stines Lighting by George Carter

The Story The people of the village have voted for Em Pee who they have not seen. When the Em Pee arrives , it turns out that He is a She. This Em Pee is all for hard work, pride etc., and to reinforce the point, she presents the village with a gift of a monument in which are two Ancestors and the Crocodile. The monument is installed in a park which should have been called Mandela, but due to a spelling error, ended up as Man Deh Yah. It is good enough reason for a title and motivation for everyone who really believes he is the “Man Deh Yah” or as they say in one of the songs “We run tings round yah”. What the villagers do not know is the Ancestors and Croc have magic powers. The Croc comes out of the monument and enters into the life of the village. He even offers himself for election against the Em Pee. However his real agenda is to make acquaintance with Miss Vie’s 300 pound Goatie. In time, the Goat disappears and so do the Ancestors, stolen as works of art. The people have gone too far this time. The ancient Cotton Tree, symbol of prosperity in the village, in a legend known by the Old Timer, dries up. While Miss Vie and daughter Mimsie are looking for Goatie, the trail leads to the Cotton Tree. There, the Ancestors teach the villagers a lesson, in national pride. It will never be forgotten by the old and the young, including the ambitious trio of Gringo, Pasero and Bandelero whose big dream was to have their play - (the Mystical Landing of Combuluh) produced on Broadway. The Croc, who kept people singing his praise because of his promises, finds that he has been called to give an account of himself too. In proper Pantomime tradition, he and other wrong doers are found out. Justice comes in the nick of time. The Ancestors are returned to their rightful place and all live happily ever after. Cast of Characters Old Timer: Lenford Salmon/Luke Williams Em Pee: Dorothy Cunningham/ Ivy Phillips Miss Vie: Elizabeth Brown/ Halcyone Samms Mimsie: Jennifer Douglas/ Ereitha Huffstead Gringo: Robert Clarke/ Recordo Redwood Bandelero: Iris Salmon/ Hortense Smikle Pasero: Melward Morris/ Michael Pinnock Croc: Michael Nicholson/ George Howard Ancestor Boy: Canute Lawrence/ Carlton Butler Ancestor Girl: Doreen King/ Faith Bucknor In supporting roles: Colin Anglin, Faith Bucknor, Delrose Burke, Jacqueline Higgins, Deborah Hickling, Tchalla Lawrence, Donna Lebert, Desmond Moulton, Milton Sterling, Janice Ward Musical Numbers Act 1 Overture Dance Hall When De Empee Come Same Like You Whey Wi a Go Do Wid Dis? Whey De Empee Deh? We Want Ram Goat Liver (Pluto Shervington) See Him Deh Act 2 We Run Tings Fi Wi Ancestors (Noel Dexter) A Who Tek It? Goatie Gone Chant for Heroes Youths Have Dreams Finale: Man Deh Yah Orchestra Calvin Cameron Leader/ Trombone Kathy Barret Keyboards Regnarine Brown Piano David Sanderson Bass Paul Green Percussion/Traps