GEMS Theatre Productions will serve up yet another gem when it hosts Ken Corsbie’s ‘This Mango Sweet’ from August 21 – 23 at the Theatre Guild in Georgetown and then at Linden and in Berbice.

Ken Corsbie

Ron Robinson

According to a GEMS press release, the veteran entertainer, educator, journalist, storyteller, poetry performer, stand up comedian, theatre designer and director will share the stage with several local acts during his three-day tour here.

On August 21 at the Theatre Guild, co-dramatist and a veteran also in this field, Ron Robinson; popular journalist Francis Farrier and Camo Williams will join Ken in bringing the theatre alive with lots of nostalgia and humour.

On August 22, the action moves to the Lichas Hall, where Lindeners will see him sharing the stage with the popular and entertaining Henry Rodney and Kirk ‘Chow-Pow’ Jardine.

On August 23, Berbicians are in for a bigger treat at the Berbice High School when Ken would be teaming up with Rodney, Chow Pow and Rajan Tiwarie. Part proceeds from this show will be in aid of the St Vincent de Paul Friendly Society.

Meanwhile, a workshop will be held at the Girl Guides Pavilion on Wednesday, August 19 from 10 am to noon for students of GEMS Youth Theatre Workshop.

Henry Rodney

Rajan Tiwari

The release noted that Ken started as an actor in amateur theatre in Guyana way back in the early 1950s, working his way up to artistic director at The Theatre Guild. He spent three years at drama college in England, studied stage/lighting design and directing and then was radio producer/announcer and liaison officer for the fledgling Caribbean Broadcasting Union. He was also producer/performer of Dem Two and All Ah We which he did during the 1970s with Marc Matthews, Henry Muttoo, Johnny Agard.

He emigrated to Barbados in the 80s and for the next 17 years worked throughout the Caribbean from Guyana to Belize, as a solo entertainer, educator, journalist, storyteller, poetry performer, stand-up comedian, theatre designer and director.

He continues to perform in the Caribbean and North America where he runs workshops, designs, directs, tells at festivals, cafes, schools, universities, libraries, after dinners, anniversaries, conferences, special events.

Kirk Jardine

He is a recipient of the Arrow of Achievement from the Guyana Government, the Cacique Award from the Trinidad and Tobago Drama Association, several for stage design and directing, and a special award from the Traditions Organization in Long Island, where he now resides.

He has been returning, occasionally, to Guyana over the years.  Of note was in 1993 for Couvade by Dr Michael Gilkes for Guyana’s 27th Indepen-dence Anniversary, Diaspora in 2003 and recently for Carifesta.

Tickets for ‘This Mango Sweet at the Theatre Guild cost $2,500 (auditorium) and $2,000 (Balcony) and are on sale at the playhouse, Nigel’s Super-market and Margarita Gift Shop.

Tickets for the Lichas Hall performance are $1,000 and are on sale at Lifetime Gift Shop or from any member of the Lichas Drama Group.

For the New Amsterdam show tickets also cost $1,000 and are on sale at Little Rock sub-office in Main Street, Dave’s TV, Shauna Beauty Salon and Wattsan’s catering in Lad Lane.

The release said sponsorship assistance came from Caribbean Airlines, Trading & Distribution Inc, Republic Bank, Noble House Seafood, United Insurance Co Ltd, Farfan & Mendes, Laparkan Group of Companies, Ramchand Auto Spares, Humphrey & Co and Cellink.