The Bahamas has a new playwright who has entered the theatre world with a real bang. Ward Minnis, a painter who brought us a very intriguing art show called “Famous Faces of Nassau” in 2004 at the Central Bank, is now putting his literary gifts on display in a political satire called “The Cabinet.” Just in time for the 2012 election season, the comedy premiered on April Fool’s Day at the Dundas Centre for Arts and immediately created a buzz. By the show’s final night folks were being turned away at the door.
The play tells the story of Reggie Moxey (played ably by Chigoze Ijeoma), the leader of the Flamingo Party (FLM) and Prime Minister of the Archipelago Islands. When the play opens Moxey is mourning the passing of the Archipelago Islands’ founding father, Lymon Leadah, former head of the Peas and Rice Party (PNR).
Leadah was Moxey’s mentor and really a father to him, in terms of teaching him the ropes of party politics. But eventually the two fell out and became rivals; rivals who still had a grudging respect for each other. Now Moxey approaches the end of his second term as PM and has to decide whether or not he will keep his campaign promise and step down after serving two terms. This decision is at the heart of the play. Moxey wants to prove he is a better leader and a better man than his mentor, Lymon, he stayed in power for 6 consecutive terms and was labeled a “tyrant.” Moxey hatches a devious scheme that will allow him “to keep his word and break it at the same time.” The scheme involves handing power over to his new PNR rival and old friend, Jerome Cartwright (played by the author, Ward Minnis).
The parallels between Minnis’ imaginary world of the Archipelago Islands and real archipelago of The Bahamas are very clear. Minnis’ play, according to the director, Dr. Ian Strachan, “takes a popular conspiracy theory and runs with it.”
The play follows Moxey as he tries to execute his plan of handing power to his old friend. The plan involves making sure that his successor as leader of the Flamingo’s is a push over; not just because he wants Jerome to win but because Reggie wants to be able to return to power himself if he is minded to. Enter Kendrick Johnson, played to hilarious effect by Matthew Wildgoose, who like Minnis, is a talented visual artist as well. Problem is Kendrick is even too incompetent for Reggie’s liking. Complicating things further are Fenton Green (Arthur Maycock), the legitimate choice to succeed Reggie and the ambitious and conniving MP Latoya Darling (played by Sophia Smith).
When asked if he was afraid his play would make him some powerful enemies, Minnis responded “Well, it is what it is. This is the whole point of democracy. Calling a spade a spade is always a dangerous proposition but if you can’t call a spade a spade then something’s wrong with the society.”
“Ward writes a very clever farce/satire. It’s hilarious. I knew the minute I read it that it would be a hit,” said Dr. Strachan. “I’m very proud of him. He’s a good writer; and he’s s only just scratching the surface of his ability. He has a lot to say and I believe the Bahamian people will enjoy every word.”
When asked what the message of the play was, Strachan had this to say: “We want to entertain people but we also want to challenge them to question the ways things are politically. We have to expect and demand more, plain and simple. As long we sit back and just trust our leaders to do the right thing, they will do the thinking for you. But they won’t necessarily put you first. Too often democracy gets high jacked. Not just in The Bahamas. The only antidote is a vigilant, engaged citizenry.”
“The Cabinet” is back by popular demand for three shows at the National Centre for the Performing Arts on Shirley Street, Friday April 29 at 8pm, Saturday April 30 at 8pm, and Sunday May 1 at 6pm. Tickets are on sale at Buttons Formal Wear, Cable Beach, Galleria Cinemas, Mall at Marathon, and at the Dundas Centre Box Office. Folks can call 433-1028 or 394-0028 or visit cabinetplay.com or facebook.com/cabinetplay.
