Reviews  (Date: August 16, 1998)

'Children Children' plays to sold out audiences"

The outrageously funny and thought provoking comedy revue "Children Children", which delighted thousands of patrons last Christmas and left many disappointed because they could not get into Little Theatre, re-opened on Independence Day at the Life of Jamaica Auditorium on Barbados Avenue in New Kingston.

All the other shows on the first week-end were all sold out and patrons have been singing its praises since then. "Children Children" which is set in a school yard somewhere in Jamaica, at the end of a school year sometime in the past, features adults playing children of primary school age.

Leading the cast is Jamaica's King of Comedy, Oliver Samuels. Also included are his infamous sidekick Volier "Maffie" Johnson, Glen "Titus" veteran actress and broadcaster Fay Ellington, CVM TV's former news anchor and current host of CVM at Sunrise Kathy Owen, controversial story teller/comedian Joan Andrea Hutchinson (more popularly known as That Bumpy Head Gal) and comedienne par excellence Claudette Pious.

As with the original production of Children Children way back in 1985, music plays a significant part in the show. The music is selected primarily for the many children expected to patronize the shows. The children also have an additional treat with the incredible feasts of Jamaica's "man of magic" McMillian.

The script is a collaborative effort of playwrights Aston Cooke and Joan Andrea Hutchinson. While Hutchinson is better known for her poetry, having just recently released her second audiocassette "Jamaican Kin Teeth". Cooke is one of this country's leading dramatic writers. He has already given us Pepperpot, Jamaica Run Down, LTM Pantomime River Muma and Golden Table and the highly acclaimed Front Room, which recently enjoyed a very successful, run at the Barn Theatre.

Most of the proceeds from the shows go to charity, with many social organizations making use of the opportunity to raise most needy funds for their many projects. Last weekend the Lions Club of Mona had their benefit performance. Apart from the money generated from the project, the most pleasing thing about "Children Children" for them was the family nature of the show. Patrons of all ages were seen inside the auditorium and were all having a grand time. Entertainment projects catering to the entire family are very rare.

Children Children continues for the next two week-ends on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7 pm with a special matinee show on Saturdays and Sundays at 4 pm. The shows have been made possible through the kind sponsorship support of Chubby, the soft drink of choice.