Reviews - (Date: July 8, 2004) LAST STAND ON JULY 23 "She was created to be the toy of man, his rattle, and it must jingle in his ears whenever, dismissing reason, he chooses to be amused" - from A Vindication of the Rights of Women by Mary Wollstonecraft. Ms. Wollstonecraft may have summed up Charlie Wood's attitude towards the many women he encountered in his insatiable quest to be crowned Jamaica's leading "bull puss". And amused was Charlie Wood, as he ticked off victim after victim. Only this time he may have "ticked" off the wrong one. Shanika Wilson, a young, attractive … very attractive customer service representative, was victim number 517, and she is not very amused, and is hell bent on ensuring that Mr. Wood has his just comeuppance in Patrick Brown's exciting new work "THE LAST STAND". The play is now in the final stages of preparation/rehearsal for it's world premier at the Centerstage Theatre on Friday July 23, 2004 at 8pm. Hunter cum hunted - Charlie Wood, is brought to life by Glen "Titus" Campbell. According to Campbell, the role has stretched him to the limit, as he has been called upon to display a wide range of emotions, despite being very restricted in his ability to move around too much on stage - as he is being held captive by some of his "victims". Continuing Campbell said "in my opinion, Charlie Wood (despite popular belief) does NOT reflect the average man. If what they say is true - that " … all men are dogs", then this guy has to be President of the Club. Yet in all this, Charlie is human - capable of experiencing fears, desires, expectations, etc. Personally, my challenge will be to convincingly portray - night after night - the conniving, cunning, ruthless nature of this "man". Showing the humane side will definitely not be a problem, it comes naturally (smile). But I'm really going to have to "act my pants off" to show the "dawggish" side (bigger smile)". The aggrieved women in the "piece" is a good mixture of youth and experience. The chief protagonist cum antagonist Shanika is played by young Donisha Prendergast, whose performance on debut in "Puppy Love" some two years ago is still touted as one of the best by a young thespian on the Jamaican stage. Prendergast was quick to point out that of all the characters she has had to play in her brief career as an actress, Shanika poses the greatest challenge. "Unfortunately Shanika seems to have fallen victim to love and its hard side. She doesn't deal with it well, and thus has become a cold-hearted bitch. My intention is to use the Shanika character to take the audience on an emotional roller-coaster. I want to make them feel every emotion that I feel, cry every tear that I shed, feel every ounce of anger, rejection, and depression that I experience. My success will be measured I suppose by the reaction of the audience. I am dying for opening night to come". One of the other "victims" is played by Deon Silvera, who has justly earned the label as one of the leading ladies of the Jamaican Stage. Fresh from her triumphant performance in Aston Cooke's hugely successful play "Single Entry", Silvera promises that audiences will not forget "Bubbles'" role in LAST STAND. "Someone came to see the rehearsals and had the temerity to suggest that I was typed-casted. Absolutely not … Deon Silvera is as far away from the Bubbles character as the East is from the West. I do my homework very well, and that's why I have been able to bring these varied characters to life". The only similarity is that Bubbles is the life of the party … just like Deon. She really sets the place on fire. The audience will just love her. Trust me". The cast is completed by some new faces to the commercial stage, as Jambiz continues its mission to introduce at least one new face in most of its productions. Christopher Hutchinson, Camile Davis, Sharee McDonald-Russell, and Khadine Hylton all bring a refreshing charm that can only come from youth with their level of vibrancy and vigour. LAST STAND will have a short run at Centerstage, playing Tuesdays to Sundays at 8pm, with an additional performance (5pm matinee) on Saturdays and Sundays, after which it will embark on a tour of the major townships in rural Jamaica, beginning Sunday August 29 at the St. Helen Church Hall in Linstead.