Dear Editor,

In The Scene section of the Stabroek News edition of February 27th 2010, under the heading ‘In very poor taste’, the writer took off the gloves and was rather forthright in her attack/criticism on the Mori J’ Von Comedy Jam staged at the National Cul-tural Centre February 19th 2010. The writer, at the beginning of her commentary mentioned that though she knows that her point of view is likely to offend many she couldn’t be bothered. Wow! That’s how you know when someone is riled up and has taken a definitive position. Editor, if I’m to go by what was described in that commentary; then I’m in agreement with the writer’s stand. When the centre cannot hold any longer and starts to go, other things will start to crumble too. For a very long time now our moral values have been depreciating, plain and simple vulgarity has been given a field day, nibbling away at the very fabric of our society, we hardly now distinguish between right and wrong; good and bad – so sad. Just look at most of the now popular mega shows we have been staging, the more raw and overdone suggestive performances are greatly appreciated. I accept that there is a time for everything, when we all have licence to go beyond the norm – ‘touris leggo’, have some real fun, and that’s fine, but it seems now that anytime and everytime is the right time where anything goes – barring nothing, and so the popularity of the show hinges on the level of the vulgarity, this is what I think gave the writer the reason to state:

“What is even more sad is that scores of people who showed up at the NCC were entertained as against the few who left mid-way like me; a sign that a culture of vulgarity now permeates society.” Now I do not make any claim to being self-righteous, but shouldn’t there be exclusive shows where you know what’s on and make your choice?

We all accept that art reflects what goes on in society, no argument there, but isn’t there a subtleness, artistic skill, a kind of classicness that must be employed rather than the banality and coarseness that brutalize our senses. If every ugly, every evil, unwholesomeness and plain disgusting lawlessness that goes on is thrown back at us through theatre in the exact same way, then we become victims twice.

I concede that theatre is serious and tough work whereby you can find yourself between a rock and a hard place; where you need the audience to have the full impact of your message, of what took place/is taking place, the serious, dangerous lurking etc, without too much polish to the point where what’s intended is lost and thus ineffective – tough indeed. But still I hold that theatre must not only reflect. The work of art in my view must not only blindly reflect society, regurgitating all that is evil, vulgar and outrageous, but where necessary be the ‘catalyst for change’. To show and transport us towards a higher level, to make us see and behave better; to understand that the offending things do not have to remain the way they are. The popular response to the song “Mama I don’t want to be born” has done just that and has embraced many to it because the message is alive and one we all can identify with, it is emotional and motivating. On the question of the comedian “Chabby” as mentioned by the writer, I have seen such acts like that before, whereby the so-called comedy man upon failing to amuse, as a last resort would pick on members of the audience in a crude, brazen, unprofessional manner, spewing all kinds of commonplace, foul and obnoxious piffle to score at any cost.

Finally, any reason can be given for having a show, that don’t bother me none, whatever their purpose, we have become known for saying one thing and doing another, which reminds me of that sharp cutting composition by Bright Colours ‘Is the People’ – well done brother. And why do people still gamble with their children and these shows, isn’t it time they know what goes on.

Yours faithfully,
Frank Fyffe