MONEY GETS ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE ACROSS

THOSE who missed the Jamaican play entitled No Dirty Money missed some
quality entertainment that focused on the universal problem of the illegal
drug trade.

The perception that drug trafficking is a quick and easy way to wealth has
serious consequences, which was the moral of the story of the day. In a
pre-performance yours truly had the privilege to hang out backstage with the
cast, which were some of the most down-to-earth people imaginable.

Teddy Price, who played Humble Lion and Glen in the play, described this as
his most challenging role to date. A pharmacist by profession, Price seemed
to have the correct prescription for the social ill that has plagued the
island for decades.

"We are the envy of many of the male actors so far," explained Price as he
and his fellow actors prepared for show time.

Donald Anderson, who played Sharkteeth, is an accomplished actor, singer,
songwriter, educator and this came through as the pistol-wielding thug. Far
from being a one-dimensional character, Anderson was also the recipient of
the prestigious Barbara Gloudon Award for the Best Theatre Arts Student
while a student at the Jamaica School of Drama.

The play had that "rootsy" feel to it as the play opened with Drop Shot,
played by Michael Nicholson, and Price as Humble Lion. They describe how to
deliver an anti-drug message via a stage performance. There are several
humorous moments as they decide who will play what character, some of which
would have meant having to don ladies' clothing.

The set was sparse and the props were few, but the performance was riveting
and sobering and the normally conservative local audience was interactive
throughout the performance. As the play starts out with a street corner
scene, which paves the way for the drama, which takes place several weeks
after with a heated exchange between Fred and Sadie, played by Terri Salmon.
All one has to do is open the paper to see how the lack of money will make
even the most God-fearing individual compromise his morals just to make ends
meet.

A confrontation between Sadie and Sharkteeth results in the latter "catching
a beat down" at the hands of Sadie, much to the delight of the audience. As
the scenes unfold there is an attempted sexual assault scene at Sadie's
apartment, which leaves her shaken and at times seemingly irrational.

As the play continues, almost every cliche in the book can be brought to the
forefront and the one that cropped up in my mind was "beware of friends
bearing gifts". Sadie's confiding in Glen paved the way for her becoming the
eventual drug mule for "The Organisation", of which Glen and Fred are
"members of good standing".

The promise of a new apartment, an allowance, passport and the material
trappings that come with a price is dangled in front of Sadie who is
overwhelmed by Glen's generosity. Seduction from its most carnal level to
the other extreme is played out as an unwitting Sadie strokes Glen's libido
as a form of gratitude as the play begins to take a sinister turn. Even
something as sharing grapes between Glen and Sadie prepares her for the art
of swallowing drugs.

GLEN'S double life has him walking a fine line between his loyalty to the
organisation and his life with Sadie. It would have been a classic case of
what the West Indians would term "Wha eyes nuh see heart nah leap".

The play shows all sides of those thinking that life in the drug business is
from glamorous. No one's immune from the temptation of easy money as Glen
flashes a large wad of cash. Uncle Glen offers even Sadie's impressionable
daughter Prim Prim sweets and cash. In a moment of clarity, the seemingly
mentally challenged Prim Prim tells Glen he is too big to be playing games.
But alas, the game Glen plays is far from child-like, as violence and
corruption are the order of the day if a successful drug baron is to run a
tight ship.

Not even the police are safe from being corrupt as Sadie learns the hard way
as she tries to file a report. The violence that results from running afoul
of Glen and the organisation gives Sadie an apparent change of heart.
Sadie's failed bid for freedom leaves her mired in a sea of deception as the
play climaxes into a violent confrontation among Sadie, Glen, Sharkteeth,
and Fred in Sadie's apartment.

Like a game of chess, it is always the pawns that are sacrificed to protect
the more important pieces in the game.

During the exchange of gunfire, the lights dipped to black and as the stage
became illuminated, it was Sharkteeth and Sadie who were the pawns in the
game of human chess.

Humble Lion addressed the audience and told of the pitfalls of such a
lifestyle and how Glen did not even attend Sadie's funeral! Bermuda, like
many other places in the world, is forced to live with the scourge of the
international illegal drug trade and this compelling drama showed the
devastating effects of this multibillion-dollar business.

No Dirty Money showcased the talent of Jamaican heritage and hammers home
the message that we need to educate our people on the misuse and trafficking
of illegal drugs.

Hopefully, this offering at the Whitney Institute by the Jamaican
Association (Bermuda) will have the desired effect on many others who have
been blinded and deafened by "Bling Bling" now be able to hear and see
without distraction one of the most powerful plays to grace the small stage.