Oliver returns to spoof Columbus
He exploded on the local television scene over a decade ago and when Jamaican Oliver Samuels appeared in Belize for the stage version, he was mobbed on the streets virtually everywhere he went. Well, having been off the tube for ten years he may no longer be known to a generation of young Belizeans…but come Saturday Night Oliver Samuels and friends will still draw a crowd. News 5’s Jacqueline Woods caught up with the comedian at the airport.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Oliver Samuels, or Oliver as he is affectionately known to Caribbean audiences, has been entertaining Belizeans since the early 90s. Today, the Jamaican comedian has returned for yet, another evening of smiles and roaring laughter as he brings to Belize the play ?Christopher Cum Buk Us.? The comedy describes Christopher Columbus?s trek to the Caribbean and what he did or did not discover.
Oliver Samuels, Jamaican Comedian
?Patrick Brown, the writer, is saying–and we are in agreement with him–that Christopher Columbus did not discover the Indies. He came and he saw people on it, and in Jamaica we would say he come buk us up right. So the ?cum-buk-us? is that he came here and he saw people.?
Shortly after arriving at the Philip Goldson International Airport, Oliver was met by representatives from the Rotary Club of Belize. The local club brought the comedian to the country to help raise funds for children suffering with heart problems, enabling them the medical care their families simply cannot afford.
Alberto Young, President, Rotary Club of Belize
?The Roatry Club of Belize has partnered up with Jambiz Productions, the entertainment group that handles the Oliver Samuels show. And ?Christopher Cum?Buk-Us? is a play that was on in Jamaica; a very popular play, and they approached us and we agreed to bring the show to Belize. The revenues generated will go towards The Gift of Life Programme and will be used to send children for immediate heart surgery in the United States.?
?Well, there are many children that we see; the children that we send are those that have in-screened and need immediate surgery, and those are the ones that go every year. And every year we do have children that need to go and we have a list of children that will go every year. It?s just every year we just look at the children that have the immediate need.?
President of the Rotary Club of Belize, Albert Young, says they send at least ten children a year to the United States. As for Oliver, well he says it has always been a pleasure for the show?s producers and actors to support projects such as the Gift Of Life.
Oliver Samuels
?It?s a constant thing, because we are aware and not just in Jamaica, if we can do stuff like coming here and helping it?s just such a wonderful thing because we are not alone on the world; no man is an island, I do believe in that and I mean we can all rest on each others? shoulders. So, if I have an opportunity to give I am willing to give and I am willing to participate in any project or activity that is helping other people.?
Ticket sales for ?Christopher Cum-Buk-Us? have been good. According to Young, the sixty dollar premier seats are sold out and there is now a rush to take what ever is left available in reserve and general admission.
Alberto Young
?Well because Belizeans know Oliver; he?s been here once before. His show has been on the air and the Christopher ?Cum-Buk-Us? Play, for those who have seen it in Jamaica have thoroughly enjoy it, and a lot of people are looking forward for it.?
Oliver Samuels
?That is great! So, everybody in Belize is giving also; if they pay then can give to the people who need it.?
The show takes place Saturday night at the Belize City Centre. It starts at eight o?clock p.m. and tickets can be bought for thirty dollars reserve, fifteen dollars general admission at the Record Shack, Love F.M., Malas, and Madisco. Jacqueline Woods for News Five.
In honour of the visit, on Friday night Channel 5 will air a three-hour Oliver marathon.
