Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter

Ronald Goshop. - Contributed

Veteran actor Ronald Goshop has returned to theatre with a bang in the Oliver Samuels-produced 'Moon River'.

Goshop, who has been in theatre since the mid-seventies, says his break from theatre was not planned, but well-appreciated. The break was taken when he stopped appearing as 'Mackie' on the popular television series, Royal Palm Estate. It ended this earlier this year when he decided to appear in Moon River.

"The break jus' happen and I took advantage of it. I used the opportunity to re-invent myself. I was becoming monotonous and found myself doing the same thing over and over, so I tried directing and producing," Goshop tells The Sunday Gleaner.

Though he has not been seen on the screen in a while, Goshop did not totally abandon the stage, as four years ago he produced, directed and starred in Hugh King's comedy Undercover Lover, which played at the Barn Theatre. He says he has also been a part of other smaller productions.

film productions

In addition to Royal Palm Estate, Goshop starred in another television series called Traxx, as well as many other stage and film productions. He says he is probably part of more than 100 stage productions in his career, but although he believes most of them were hits, 'Don't Wake The Baby', and 'Godson' were memorable. Some of the films he has been part of are Body Moves, Countryman, Mighty Quinn and Runt Dog.

Goshop tells The Sunday Gleaner he is still appreciative of the professional help that Martha Goldson gave him. He says he did not get any professional training in drama apart from the guidance he got from Goldson and The Thespian Dramatic Society.

Nonetheless, he says he has matured tremendously.

"I have matured, because when I started I was nervous and I didn't know how to study lines. I worked with professional actors and directors, so I tried to learn things from them," says Goshop, who now attends the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts.

He adds, "In those days (the '70s) people didn't go to drama school. Some people went abroad and studied so they pass on what they learn to you."

Because of his drive to learn, Goshop has worked with some of the best and actors and directors, thereby making him a "rounded actor waiting for the big movie role".

roughneck

While he waits, he is enjoying Moon River, playing the character 'Grease', who is a roughneck, but eventually becomes a Christian.

"I love the script. It was up my street, the type of role that I used to play which is the roughneck or villain. I like these kinds of roles 'cause they give you a lot of space to show a lot of emotions," he said.

In the play, Goshop says he is able to show different styles, approaches and ways of delivering.

Moon River will leave Centerstage in July; then it will tour the rest of the island and overseas until August. After Goshop finishes this role he might be part of another Oliver Samuels-produced play. In addition, he will continue to teach at visual arts at Excelsior High School.

As for the Royal Palm Estate series, Goshop says he is not sure if he will ever appear in it again.

"I am not in it, but I notice I see myself in every night. I did 15 years of it and it done. If they call me I might consider it," he says.