The popular play, "Election 2012: What Just Happened?" is on its second encore in New Providence. The play, which opened in the Rainforest Theatre on November 1, is now running for a third weekend due to the demand for the comedic show. Playwrights David Wallace and Michael Pintard, who have been putting on election plays since 2002 when the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) beat the Free National Movement (FNM), have become synonymous with on-stage election dramas. "We have done nine shows in New Providence, eight evening shows and one matinee," Pintard said. "Our plan is to run it until people stop coming.
In 2007 and 2002, we ran it for about 22 times in New Providence. So we've been pleased in these tough times, with Nassau being as busy as it is socially and culturally, that we've been able to run it as many times with an audience of somewhere between 700 and 800 each time. So we've been pleased with the public's response. And we've been pleased that persons from all political persuasions are coming together." The play itself dramatizes several political events that took place this election season and culminates with the final political rallies of the three parties.
The actors re-enact the speeches of former FNM Leader Hubert Ingraham, PLP Leader Perry Christie and Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Leader Branville McCartney. "The goal is to poke fun at some of the hilarious things that happened before, during and after the election," Pintard said. Actors mimic Christie's Junkanoo shuffle, Ingraham's now famous "hologram" comment and McCartney's long rally speeches. As for which character is the most popular, Pintard said of the three leaders Christie comes up on top.
However, he said another character in the play gave him some competition. "The most popular character would be a toss up between Miss Mary, played by Patrice Johnson, a very inciteful Haitian/ Bahamian who plays all sides of the political divide, or it may be the Perry Christie character played by Will Stubbs, where he is really the embodiment of Christie in that production. Persons who are very close to Mr. Christie have remarked that there is very little difference between the two of them when he is on stage," Pintard said. In addition to Patrice Johnson and Will Stubbs, the play features David Wallace, Tawari Rodgers, Tameka Forbes, Marquita Whymms and Pintard. Several surprise guests were featured in the show, including Branville McCartney who played himself during the inaugural play; defeated FNM candidates Howard Johnson and Pakeisha Parker-Edgecombe; PLP rally moderator Dwight Armbrister and Grand Bahama-based PLP supporter Troy Garvey.
"The goal of the production is to take some of the venom out of the politics," Pintard explained. "That is to lower the political temperature given the fact that we just came through a very divisive election and again tensions have been very high, not just prior to the election but after the election. For whatever reason now we are playing politics throughout the five-year cycle. We are living a contentious life. So the production is designed to make the point that some of the things that cause us to be at odds with each other, we ought to be careful not to take these things too seriously." Pintard added that the idea to create an election play was borne out of an impromptu meeting with Wallace and himself.
"We were already in the business of producing. But David Wallace and myself met at a primary school graduation. I was the guest speaker and he was the master of ceremonies. And we both during the course of that primary school graduation would have separately told political jokes because we just lost the election. As a result of that, we had a discussion and decided we would produce a production that would get people to laugh, after what was for many FNMs a very painful election," he said. That year the duo wrote and produced the play, "Election 2002, If You Don't Laugh You'll Cry". Both Wallace and Pintard are defeated FNM candidates.
In 2007, the duo created "Election 2007 - Count it Again Man, Count it Again". That year the PLP lost to the FNM in a closely contested election. Pintard said he believes the plays have been so popular because of Bahamians' enthusiasm towards politics. "Bahamians are passionate about several things. One of those things is religion, one of those things is Junkanoo and certainly politics is right up there with Bahamians' favorite topics of discussion. So I think there is a bit of a fascination with politics in The Bahamas.
"To some extent some people have also followed the work we have produced and so they are coming back expecting something similar," he said. Pintard added that the play is a good way for Bahamians to escape their problems for a few hours. "If you have any stress of any sort, the play will go a long way in terms of reducing the stress level that you have. And again, politicians and former and present Cabinet ministers have come out to the production along with persons from all walks of life. What it does underscore is that persons are looking for relief from the stress. They are looking for wholesome family entertainment and we believe that we can provide it, and we encourage Bahamians to come out and support a Bahamian theatrical production." The show continues tonight and tomorrow at the Church of God Auditorium on Joe Farrington Road. The play has also been shown in Grand Bahama and Abaco. For more information, call 356-5605 or 676-7254
Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian
