Andre Jebbinson, Staff Reporter

Four runs! Members of the Little Theatre Movement take to the field as they prepare for the upcoming National Pantomime, Howzzat. - Contributed

Howzzat!? Sounds familiar? No, Courtney Walsh is not coming out of retirement.

Instead, the Little Theatre Movement (LTM) will be batting off its new pantomime season on Boxin Day with some good old-fashioned cricket.

"One of the characteristics of the Pantomime is topicality. We always try to put into it things that are current," said Barbara Gloudon, author of this year's LTM Pantomime. And the LTM 2006 National Pantomime is moving full throttle in that direction.

Howzzat revolves about the competition for the fictional World Village Cricket Cup between Gully Bank and Midfield at the Midfield Oval. All seems to be going well until Khaki Dawg comes on the scene and the tide of the match begins to change as one problem after another develops.

There is concern, for instance, about an area of the field known as Tall Grass, over which hangs an air of mystery. One of the bigger revelations will be why fielders would rather not have to retrieve the ball there.

This season's pantomime will coincide with the International Cricket Council Cricket World Cup, which Jamaica will host along with the rest of the Caribbean, starting in March 2007. Gloudon is hoping this will impact favourably on the turnout.

Gloudon is warning patrons not to come expecting a literal show. "It's a fantasy and that is the way it has been. It has to be enjoyed by all ages," she said.

"Part of the LTM agenda to preserve elements of Jamaican folklore through performance," Gloudon said. "Pantomime strives for total theatre, with original stories each year."

However, one thing that should be expected is the tradition of well-arranged music, colourful and vibrant costumes and elaborate sets. "You set a standard and people know it is something. People know it is family entertainment. There is a scarcity of things that people can go as a whole family. They don't have to worry that there is coarse language in the Pantomime," Gloudon said.

Gloudon said some young people in the city know little about Pantomime. At the same time she lauded those who support the shows, referring to them as an "audience with loyalty".

Starring role

She told The Sunday Gleaner about bus drivers who have seen particular pantomimes many times as a result of the numerous trips of persons they take to the shows. This is what keeps Gloudon and the other members of the production team going. At the end of each season, the close to 60,000 patrons help the company break even.

Gloudon said most of the work put into the season is voluntary, as the company is not able to pay the services. There is no room for prima donnas, as no one person is given a 'starring role'.

"Our stage crew is very important to the show. Not many people think of them that way. Most people ask who is the star of the show. We tell people that the whole of the production staff is the star," Gloudon said.

As to who wins the World Village Cricket Cup in Howzzat, Gloudon says "we would like everybody to come. We want to share some of the excitement that we feel with as many people as possible".