Jamaica, Farewell opens to the strains of the Harry Belafonte sung “Jamaica Farewell”, a song that for many conjures up an old Jamaica, an island paradise fair and gentle. The one-woman show written and performed by Debra Ehrhardt was not so gentle in its reminiscing on Jamaica. The play focuses on the story of Debra, a Jamaican born woman who from early childhood entertained the dream of migrating to the United States. The play, which runs for 85 minutes without intermission, is a comical look at her attempts to obtain a visa and her eventual success in leaving Jamaica behind through a series of death defying escapades with the aim of arriving at the wonderful and apparently milk and honey overflowing shores of Miami. Debra Ehrhardt was convincing, the staging of the play was effective, the material was funny enough, even the politics – a clear anti-Manley perspective – was admirable. But, but. Why this obsession with migrating to the United States? Why this devotion to Americana? Loyal Jamaicans may find the play uncomfortable to watch or maybe even objectionable.  Ms. Ehrhardt after Thursday's performance Ms. Ehrhardt did a commendable job in evoking a slew of characters. Through voice modulation, shifting body language, and switching her physical position, she was able to portray a whole cast of characters including herself at varying ages, her mother, her father, a brothel Madame, and a CIA operative. Although at times it had the feel of someone reading a children’s story with all the voices, she gets very high marks for getting the audience to believe that all those characters were real. Some lacked depth - for example CIA guy (Jim? Dan? Max?) who was the stereotypical foreigner - but character nuancing would have been hard and really was not the point anyway. The play was designed primarily to amuse and this it did judging from the laughter of the crowd. The story was told from Debra’s perspective and mostly in the present tense, the latter technique giving immediacy to the play’s action and made more credible Debra’s depiction of herself at various ages. The watchword for the staging of the play was simplicity: the set consisted of a podium, and two black rectangular boxes. The costuming – a simple pink blouse, black pants, and ballet flats - was unobtrusive and effective. The lighting was uncomplicated. The simplicity in the staging had the effect of aiding in the telling of the story and making the story credible. The story portrayed in her funny Sybil-like manner was an interesting one. On one hand it’s about her personal story, of how she came to leave Jamaica. On the other hand it’s about Jamaica and how in a way it made her leave. The Jamaica that Debra leaves is the 1970’s Jamaica with it’s political violence, it’s harsh economic environment, and it’s social unrest. Perhaps one of the most admirable facets of the play is its clear criticism of the policies of that era; not because it is always necessarily accurate – for example, although there are accounts of persons abandoning their homes and migrating, less reliable is her depiction of thugs evicting middle class families from their residences – but because of the opportunity it gives Jamaicans to look back at that period and assess what went right and what went wrong. Not enough creative energy has been devoted to this very dark period in Jamaica’s history.  Poster for Jamaica, Farewell However, at the end of it all, even though loyal Jamaicans criticise Jamaica, understand when Jamaicans have to leave to seek new opportunities in other countries, and many of them migrate themselves, loyal Jamaicans want the best for Jamaica. None of that was apparent in Ms. Ehrhardt’s play which could have just as easily been titled “Jamaica, Gweh!”. Of course, no one is saying that this is a creative requirement but it was even more difficult to take because the embrace given to the United States was so open and uncritical. One wonders what perceptions are left in the minds of Americans when they see this play, when they see the Jamaican dread who tries to rape Debra, the hustling Madame Coquette, the thug who comes to see what her family’s house is like presumably so he can move in with his cronies or his own family. No wonder she wants to trade soup with goat testicles for hot dogs! The play has closed, said farewell, and is now on it's way to Canada, likely to be enjoyed there as much as it was here. In the final analysis, Jamaica, Farewell would have proven good for Jamaican audiences. It was good for a laugh or two but maybe it will cause some of us to revisit some of the issues related to the ‘70s, the effects of which still linger, and more generally to migration of our nationals.  Debra Ehrhardt CommentsTrudy 08/25/2010 06:43
I too was uncomfortable at times during the play. Particularly at its stereotypical portrayal of Jamaicans like the dread who tried to rape her. I spoke with Debra after the show and she informed me that it was a true story. I must admit I was surprised, sure she had made it up, catering to the one-dimensional view that many foreigners and (especially lighter-skinned) Jamaicans have of us. It helped me remember that this is from her perspective and as such would be more enjoyable if I judge it a little less from my own viewpoint. Karen @ JaCulture.com 08/25/2010 17:52
Hey Trudy, Elizabeth 08/25/2010 19:53
I saw the play, and was torn - I enjoyed the stagecraft in general, felt she exactly captured the political situation of Jamaica in the '70s, and thought she had a great punchline to finish, but I was very troubled that she resorted to stereotypes for all except two characters - herself and Mr Gordon. Not even her parents were spared. Perhaps she would not have had the easy laughs, but the whole Montego Bay-Miami-plane ride-customs sequence shows she has the chops for suspenseful, entertaining storytelling. Maybe next time. Karen @ JaCulture.com 08/26/2010 18:17
Thanks Elizabeth for your great comments. I share your sentiment about the characters and their lack of depth/nuances but for me, frankly, given the kind of comedy I thought she was going for, I didn't feel it was so important. (Can't remember now, was Mr. Gordon the clothing store owner?) mg 09/30/2010 18:06
I have seen the play several times and I understand your review and even appreciate it but I am baffled as to why things need to be said politically correct all the time? Why can't someone give an account of their experiences despite the fact that negative issues are raised. How many Jamaicans today and from yester years always dream/ed of nicely paved roads, a community in which to work and be paid? Many Jamaicans are under-earners--they work hard but barely make enough to get by. Is it not true that corruption is still rampant in Jamaica. This is true for many nations, so why the worry about how American/Canadians or the rest of the world will view Jamaica based on Debra’s account. Negative aspects depicting crime, social injustices are common place and the world hear of them so why the worry about Debra's story and any impact it might have on trade or tourism? Recent political activities in Jamaica have been far more reaching and have caused far more detrimental impact on the country's well being than Jamaica Farewell could ever evoke. The truth of Debra's experience is and will remain inconsequential to Jamaica's well being. Debra showed her CIA friend a good time in Jamaica--She took him to Dunn's River Falls, Stoney Hill, introduced him to the music and foods that Jamaica is known for and the play opens with her singing the praises of Jamaica's beauty. We all appreciate that about Jamaica. Despite any negative experiences, most Jamaicans who had aspirations to leave and have left to make a better life still favors Jamaica as a vacation destination, this I am sure is very true for Debra. I appreciate her frankness... Leave a Reply | Quote"We refuse to be what you wanted us to be, we are what we are, that's the way it's going to be." - Robert Nesta Marley, 1945 - 1981 ArchivesMay 2012 CategoriesAll |
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