Young Turks dominate “CUTIE & THE FREAK”
10th Annual Jambiz Chritmas Production

Theatre producers Jambiz International continues its trend of introducing new and exciting young talent to the Jamaican Stage. When the curtain rises on the world premier of Patrick Brown’s Cutie & the Freak on Boxing Day (December 26, 2006) at 5pm, veteran actors Oliver Samuels and Glen “Titus” Campbell will be hard pressed to hold their own in the sea of youthful vibrancy on stage.

The “new face” this time around is Centerstage Actors Workshop graduate Belinda Reid. Reid, who also harbours ambitions of becoming a recording and performing singer, recently released her first single, which has been enjoying encouraging rotation on air.

She however sees herself as a rounded performer, with acting somewhere towards the top of her priority list. “I’ve always wanted to be on stage – acting, singing, dancing” said a smiling Reid, as she prepared herself for a rehearsal session at Centerstage. “As a little girl, I would be always singing away and doing dramatic things, much to the amusement of everyone around me. From as far back as I can remember, this is what I have always wanted to do”.

“I joined the Centerstage Workshop because it offered me an opportunity to acquire the basic skills necessary to launch an acting career. It was particularly significant for me because I never had the time or the resources to access this training elsewhere. The programme at Centerstage is designed for people like me, people with a burning desire, but who lack the know-how and the resources. Jambiz has now seen something in me which indicates that I have the drive, discipline and the talent to succeed at the highest level. I have every intention to grasp this opportunity with both hands (both feet and every other part of my existence) and to make everyone proud of me. To get the opportunity to work with two of the leading actors in Jamaica in Oliver Samuels and Glen Campbell, one of the best writers in Patrick Brown and most certainly the best director around in Trevor Nairne, all at the same time, is an actors dream. My dream has come through” added  an obviously enthusiastic Reid.

The other young turks in “Cutie and the Freak” are Camille Davis (Woody’s Last Stand, Vibes, Class of ’73), Courtney Wilson (Vibes, Class of ’73) and Sharee McDonald-Russell (Woody’s Last Stand, Ras Noah, Class of ’73).

Veteran Director Trevor Nairne reported that the cast has gelled very well and that all the elements (drama, music, movement, etc) are coming along wonderfully well. He promised that Cutie & the Freak will continue the Jambiz tradition of providing an exciting and fun-filled theatrical experience fit for the entire family. After its Boxing Day premier Cutie and the Freak will play Wednesdays to Fridays at 8pm and on Saturdays and Sundays at 5pm and 8pm.

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