Reprised after 37 years at Little Carib Theatre in Woodbrook, Lester Efebo Wilkinson’s Bitter Cassava is just as relevant today as it was in 1979 when premiered by Mausica Folk Theatre. Opened on June 9, the play will have its finale on Sunday.
Staged by The B-V Theatre Project, Bitter Cassava, whose cast includes Muhammad Muwakil (Samuel William Blondell); Tishanna Williams (Justina); Ruby Parris (Betty Lou); Darin Gibson (Pa Cefus); Mavis John (Mother Lucy); Wendell Etienne (Merchant); Tafar Chia Lewis; Gervon Abraham; and, Kurtis Gross as Papa Iban, successfully covers all bases required for a complete theatrical production. Casting, acting, lighting, wardrobe, music and direction are all spot on in the staging of this iconic play.
Williams, a BA Theatre Arts degree holder, is rivetting as Justina, a woman scorned by Sam after living with him in a common-law relationship and bearing him three children. She marinates well in multiple roles; as abused woman, spirit and avenger.
Renowned as a spoken word artiste, Muwakil shows his acting ability as “the village ram,” and the sweet man in the rural, close knit community in which he resides. The character is central to the plot and the audience is taken through a gamut of emotions as Muwakil’s character weaves a tragic path which negatively affects not only him but his relationships, children and neighbours, especially Pa Cefus, the narrator who relates the village tragedy to investigating policeman Abraham.
Having discarded Justina in a violent and abusive manner, Sam connects with Betty Lou, “a pretty, red woman from town,” who, after a short time of happiness, also becomes the victim of the abusive Sam. If I could have found one minor chink in the plot of Bitter Cassava it would be Betty Lou bearing six children for Blondell. With one of the children being central to the plot, beautifully played by Anna-Lisa Wickham, there is no need to incorporate the other five who are inconsequential to the script and who are neither seen or heard through the entire play.
Endearing themselves to the audience are Robinson and Lewis, especially the latter, as the village’s busy bodies. Without meaning to reveal too much of the plot, Justina, murders the three children she has for Sam, places a curse on him the day he marries Betty Lou and commits suicide. In the end things don’t turn out any better for Betty Lou and Sam either. Go see the play and see first hand how the plot unfolds.
Wilkinson is outstanding as the play’s director, as well as veteran Best Village dancer Gregor Breedy for its choreography, chorale director Lois Lewis and costume designer Carlyne Perreira-Lacaille. Also deserving of kudos is the music ensemble of Marva Newtown (guitar); Alisford Phillips (bass); Girma Daniel (flute); and, two drummers.
The play’s music is beautiful, especially its patois numbers (Allez Mwe-ka-Allez and Bwe Wom), pieces which serve as an enhancement to date the play as well as add variety to its music.
Apart from the traditional music and originals by Wilkinson, Bitter Cassava also includes snippets of works by Mighty Sparrow and late Merchant (Dennis Franklyn).
Bitter Cassava is being held under the patronage of Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, with considerable support from corporate entities and lovers of theatre.