1980/81 LTM NATIONAL PANTOMIME
MANSONG
The
Story
Patches
of authentic history coloured by legends which have sprung up
over the years tells us that Jack Mansong was a Coromantee slave
on a Jamaican plantation who escaped and gained for himself a
reputation as a rebel against the slave owners. Legend tells us,
however, that Jack would never kill a woman. In one of his fights,
Jack lost two fingers and thereafter became known as 'l'hree Finger
Jack'. With the passing of time, Jack has emerged as one of the
heroes of old Jamaica.
The 1980 Pantomime, Mansong, creates a fantasy around the story
of Three Finger Jack. Another hero of the tale is Dada, an old
slave skilled in the science of obeah who is like a father to
Teena, a young slave girl who, it appears, is torn between her
love for the slave Quashee and Three Finger Jack. The story begins
with the wedding of Miss Rosa Chapman, the daughter of the estate
owner, to a young British soldier, Captain Edward Whitehorn. Everyone,
including the slaves, is celebrating the marriage and Dada, after
a couple swigs of rum, launches out into the tale of Jack Mansong
- a tale which he advises those of his listeners who are literate,
to write down for posterity.
Dada's story starts with the arrival of Jack on the plantation.
Teena gives Dada the news and they decide to keep to themselves
the secret that both she and Jack are originally from the same
African tribe. (Slaves from the same tribe were not allowed to
live on the same estate, as the masters feared that this might
lead to rebellions).
To tell more of the plot would rob the story of its surprises,
part of the fun of Pantomime. Suffice it to say that good triumphs,
true love conquers, and the villain gets his just desserts, in
true Pantomime tradition.
Cast of Characters Dada: Charles Hyatt Teena: Faith Nelson Quashee: Bert Johnson/Raymond Thompson Tuckey: Eric Blair Jack: Paul Campbell Rosa: Hope Blake/Totlyn Oliver Mrs. Chapman: Ann Marie Fuller Gov,'s Wife/Fibba: Maureen Beckford Housekeeper: Sonya Francis Lady Bosum: Patricia Amos Orphelia Bosum: Andrea McLaren Silly Young Miss: Julianna Blackwood Housekeeper: Jacqueline Higgins Tipsy Man's Wife: Audrey Miller Parson's Wife: Totlyn Oliver/Hope Blake Slave Girl: Virginia Waite Captain: Alwyn Scott / John Francis Sam Power: Sam Carty Governor: Rowan Byfield/Tommy Rickets Custos: Franchot Henry Parson : Clive Johnson Tipsy Man/Overseer: Trevor Rowe Richard (Custos' Son): Raymond Thompson / Clive Johnson Redcoats: Earl Vassell, Patrick Johnson, Eric Parkes, Tommy Ricketts |
Musical
Numbers Act One Jonkunnu Everybody Have a Song Teena's Melody War Oh! A Gwine to be a Rebel Jack Nah Jester Waltz Time Scandal Mi is a Big Man Never Felt Like This Before The Ring is Round We Nah Form Fool Jack Nah Jester (reprise) Act Two Worksong When yu Back is to the Wall Up in the Mountain Spirit Dance Hear my Song The Ring is Round (reprise) Up in the Mountain (reprise) Wid dis ya Loot Look to the Mountain Hear my Song (reprise) Teena's Melody (reprise) Freedom Look to the Mountain (reprise) Orchestra Lloyd Mason - Flute Vincent Hawthorn - Saxophone Michael Dyke - Rhythm Guitar Glen Carty - Bass Guitar Godfrey Taylor/ Noel Dexter - Piano Drums (Traps) - Glenroy Plummer Congo Drums - Billy Lawrence |