Rotarians take centre stage for charity
It’s an organisation that does a lot of different things, most of which involve helping the community. And if you’re lucky you can be a part of the Rotary Club’s good works by attending a play that will not only raise money, but–if the past is any indication–have you rolling in the aisles. News Five’s Janelle Chanona has the story.
Janelle Chanona
Beginning Thursday night, local Rotarians will take centre stage in the Belizean adaptation of the Jamaican play “Breadfruit Kingdom”.
Sandra Mckay will star as Queen Street.
Sandra Mckay, Public Relations Chair Rotary Club
“It’s a fairy tale about a King, King Street and his royal family: Queen Street and Princess Street, ruling over Breadfruit Kingdom but he’s a challenging King to deal with. So he tends to always raise taxes and oppressing the people somewhat and I mean it’s a story that so many countries can relate to but again, Patrick has found the light side of those major issues and really formulated a great family entertainment out of it.”
Written by playwright Patrick Brown, Rotarian Kay Menzies changed the Jamaican references into Belizean scenarios. But the man directing the production is nineteen year old Jamie Thompson.
Jamie Thompson, Director, Breadfruit Kingdom
“When times get tough, I say remember the kids that Rotary is helping, that’s what I say to motivate them and that seems like enough motivation and that’s how we get through the tough days.”
Thompson confesses he hadn’t read the Breadfruit script before but he’s confident the local audience will be pleased with the performances.
Jamie Thompson
“I know that there will be some differences in terms of production and I prefer not to have seen the first production because I know that our people will appreciate much more creativity and we had to change some of the things to the context of our culture so after changing, we had other people to Belizean-ize the script, I just put the play together, adding a bit of creativity, as well as suggestions from the cast members and just put it together and pray to God it works out and so far, it’s going well.”
Proceeds of the play will fund Rotary’s latest initiative: a literacy program in Belize City as well as the Gift of Life program, which has assisted close to a hundred and fifty children access life saving medical care.
Yvette Burks, Program Coordinator, Gift of Life
“So it’s very exciting for us. And since last year, we sent over seventeen children away for open heart procedures. I am sure this year won’t be any less and certainly will be very expensive for us from a spending perspective so we are hoping that this will bring a decent return so that we do not have to say “No” to a child for the looks of a plane ticket or other expenses involved.”
Sandra Mckay
“Well I think my mom will tell you, I’ve always loved to poppy show myself as Belizeans would say. As long as I can make someone laugh it’s worth it for me, and to make the Belizean public laugh and know that some kids will get help with finances to take the necessary heart surgeries or some children will be able to receive a proper education because of me making a fool of myself, then bring it on.”
And for the play’s director, between the laughter, there’s an important lesson.
Jamie Thompson
“For me, one of the strongest messages within the play is that it doesn’t matter what you have in front of you right now, it’s how you deal with it and how you use what you have to get ahead. So in other words, do not settle for anything else. For me that’s the biggest message in the play, do not settle for anything else and if you know where you want to go, by all means necessary, work towards that.”
Breadfruit Kingdom will take the stage at the Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts on the ninth, eleventh and twelfth of August. The play will then travel to San Ignacio and Belmopan on the twenty-fifth and twenty-seventh respectively. Reporting for News Five, I am Janelle Chanona.
In related news, Rotary’s Gift of Life will be holding clinics in Belize City on the twenty-second of August and at the Southern Regional Hospital in Dangriga on the twenty-third. For more information, please contact Yvette Burks at 610-3890.
