New Production Company Presents Basil Dawkins' 'Snowball from Hell'

A Review

By Neil Armstrong

Photo credit: Eddie Grant    John Phillips as lawyer, Mr. McDermott, and Judy "Pye" Cox as Joycie in the Basil Dawkins play "Snowball from Hell" being presented by 365 Productions in the Greater Toronto Area

In just six months after it was founded, 365 Productions, a Jamaican-Canadian community theatre company, is staging the play “Snowball from Hell” written by Basil Dawkins as its introduction to theatre lovers in the Greater Toronto Area.

Anyone familiar with the prolific playwright’s works knows that laughter plays a major role.

In an interview with Dawkins, Michael Reckord, in a story published in the Gleaner on February 21, 2014 notes that: “He finds the responses of foreign audiences and local ones similar, and "to a large degree, 'mi come yah fe laugh, me nuh come yah fe tink' is the prevailing ethos. They come to be entertained, and entertaining means engagement with story but, most important, generous servings of comedy throughout are desired. By and large, you better make them laugh, locally or away."

Reckord writes that though the play must evoke laughter, it does not have to be an out-and-out comedy to be successful. What audiences seek is "relatability." Dawkins explained: "They want to see their own people, hear their own stories told in the way they would tell it, but done more artfully. They want to be proud of their Jamaican roots."

Under the direction of veteran Douglas Prout the actors Judy “Pye” Cox (as Joycie, Evadney’s mother), John Phillips (as lawyer Mr. McDermott) Christopher M. Hutchinson (as criminal Rupert), Alma James (as Mr. McDermott’s secretary Ms. Wilson) and Theresa “Pinky” Baker (as Evadney) embody their characters and give us a sense of the predicament of their lives. Much of the movement on stage happens indoors between the office of Mr. McDermott and Ms. Wilson, and the home of Joycie, Evadney and soon-to-move-in Rupert. Oraldeen Brown alternates with James in the role of Ms. Wilson.

“Snowball from Hell” tells the gut-wrenching tale of Evadney, a promising Jamaican teenager from the inner city of Kingston who, through her mother’s great sacrifice, attends one of the better “uptown” high schools. Weeks before sitting her final exams she falls ill at school and it is discovered that she is pregnant. This sets much of the narrative of the play in motion and explores how Evadney, her new child, mother, and those brought into her life as a result of circumstances connive, survive and thrive. Who is accountable to whom and what are the implications of one’s actions?

While there were strong theatrical skills from all the actors, some were more relatable and believable than others. The exaggerated distress of Joycie and anger of Evadney were unbearably amplified by the high volume of the sound which made moments of empathy and tenderness seem forced. Evadney’s revelation of what led to her pregnancy required a more sympathetic mother, and a teenager can be angry without yelling at others most of the times.

The Joycie-Ms. Wilson alliance provides an insight into the bond that both women would form to protect Evadney although they are so different in the paths they have chosen in life.

Photo credit: Eddie Grant   Lawyer, Mr. McDermott, played by John Phillips is confronted by Evadney (Theresa "Pinky" Baker in the Basil Dawkins play "Snowball from Hell"

Working out the lighting and sound technicalities and editing the play which was long on opening night should make for a more pleasurable experience in the upcoming shows on July 12 in Brampton and on July 13 in Scarborough. By then the jitters of the first show and all the kinks associated with the opening night would have been ironed out.

The spontaneity of members of the audience in their response to dramatic moments in the play is an indication that this new production house made a good choice in mounting Dawkins’ play.

365 Productions was founded by Robert Gordon and Kameka Morrison to “promote the art of storytelling through theatre arts and to use this platform as a medium to bring communities together.”

Congratulations to them, the actors and the creative team. Check out this weekend’s shows at the Speranza Banquet Hall, 510 Deerhurst Road in Brampton on July 12, and at the St. Clement of Ohrid Banquet Hall, 76 Overlea Boulevard on July 13. Both shows start at 8:00 p.m.