Anguilla’s playwright, dramatist and producer, Mr. Felix Fleming, may have just moved up another notch in his love for, and delivery of, the oral tradition art form – this time in the context of a Biblical play entitled “The Development of Simon Peter”.
Performed at his makeshift stage at Sandy Hill – a temporary replacement for his previously attractive theatre building destroyed by Hurricane Irma – his play attracted an appreciable number of persons over the period June 20-30. It was about his fourth religious play – mostly outside of Anguilla – but even with a reasonable following and some extensive hard work, by him and his cast, he thinks the turnout could have been better.
“It is a lot of work, even in making the costumes by Mona alone,” he said, referring to his wife who works closely with him and his performers. “This story is an old one from the 1800s which I scripted. I like the story which focuses on the development of Simon Peter. I think it was first written by a Jewish lady.”
What was the response of the public to the play? “Not very good,” he replied. “I find that we have a very hard time selling religious plays. The people want to see comedy and stuff like that. As a theatre director, I think that the community needs to be given a variety of drama including religious pieces, comedy and whatever. But for some reason the majority of our people don’t have an appetite for religious performances.”
Yet, despite this, with theatrical performances consuming his mind, Felix, as he simply likes to be called, would again venture producing another religious drama – and the Bible is filled with them – just check the multiple videos on You Tube! The rounds of applause that greeted the end of each scene of his play should be an encouragement to him and his crew.
Felix played the role of Ucal, one of the Biblical characters. The other members of the cast were: Simon Peter (Malcolm Webster); Adina (Jannie Gumbs); Deborah (Terraine Webster); Female servant (Caleanne Adams); Mary of Magdala (Itasha Webster); Titus (Zarquan Carter); Pandira (Devon Carter/Glennecia Samuel); and Agur (Kenn Banks).
Throughout the play, there were references to “The Master”(Jesus) who attracted crowds by his healing and ministry but preferred to spend time with the lowly or in seclusion rather than in the glare of publicity. The play did not have a member of cast for the “Master” role.
In the words of Felix Fleming, “if there was so much trouble finding a Simon Peter, what would it have taken to find someone for the Master, Jesus?” But that character would have been a most welcomed addition to the cast.
