“CUTIE & THE FREAK” starts rural tour

Oliver Samuels and Glen “Titus” Campbell along with the Jambiz Krew promise a treat for their regular patrons in Montego Bay and May Pen when the Patrick Brown penned comedy “Cutie & the Freak” begins its rural tour this weekend.

Cutie & the Freak plays at a new venue in May Pen – The Quarry, Bustamante Highway – this Saturday. February 17 at 8pm. On Sunday February 18, the action moves to the Montego Bay Community College for a 7pm performance.

The hilarious comedy, described by many as one of Patrick Brown’s best, has been enjoying a phenomenal run at its home base (Centerstage Theatre in New Kingston) since its boxing Day 2006 opening. 

Reports are that the Kingston buzz has spread to rural Jamaica, as several persons have journeyed from rural Jamaica to New Kingston to see the production, opting not to wait until it hits their area. Regular ticket outlets in May Pen (Young’s Pharmacy and Juici Patties) and Montego Bay (Fontana Pharmacy and Salmon’s Bargain Centre) have been inundated with queries regarding the start of ticket sales.

Over the years regular patrons to the Jambiz productions have become accustomed to purchasing their tickets early to avoid the disappointment of not being able to get into the venue on show day. This because of Jambiz’s policy of limiting ticket sales based on the capacity of the venue. Production Manager Lenford Salmon explained that this policy is in the best interest of patrons, pointing to safety concerns. He went on to say that at the onset disappointed patrons used to be very upset anout the policy, but have now in the main come around to understanding and even appreciating the need to take patron safety seriously.

Artistic director Trevor Nairne was full of praise for the cast members and believe that the synergies created on stage has contributed to the emmense success of the production. He summed it up by saying the “the actors on stage gel together wonderfully and have as a team crafted a truly audience-friendly, laugh-a-line theatrical gem, which has been providing more than adequate exercise for the “funny-bone”.

After May Pen and Mobay, the “Cutie and the Freak” rural tour will wind its way through Sav-la-mar (February 24), Ocho Rios (February 25), Mandeville (March 4) and several other rural townships until the end of March.