Ron Morrison is promising a new kind of comedy sketch and variety show slated for a countrywide release soon. He is not divulging too much detail on content, but a few recognized names are likely to pop up as part of the laughs.
Norris Mitter… Does the name ring any bells? Probably, but the individual is a practical stranger who has a recurring role on the new Mori J’Von Comedy Jam. The show is yet to debut to any audience and Mitter is still to be introduced, but Ron is certain the character will be embraced from the minute people get a tiny dose of him, “just a tiny bit”, he said.
Mori J’Von Comedy Jam offers a fresh and innovative concept for comedy in Guyana, Ron told The Scene during a recent sit-down. The idea, as he explained it, is to debut and sustain a weekly syndicated show in Guyana that would be filmed once a month at the National Cultural Centre in front of a live audience. The show will feature a rotating line-up of some of the country’s funniest performers including comedians, actors, poet and vocalists.
“The who’s who of comedy in Guyana have been cast on the show,” Ron said before dropping the names of performers the likes of Habeeb Khan, Linden ‘Jumbie’ Jones, Henry Rodney, Miranda Austin, Simone Persaud, Sherry Ann Dyal and Joel Fraser. But, he boasted, the show has discovered new, exciting talent.
Ron, who owns the Mori J’Von Hanes Store, feels he is onto something with the comedy jam, but more importantly, he views it as a much needed avenue to support performers who are constantly in search of regular work. Saying that the concept of the show is simple, he called it is a celebration of the power to laugh. The comedy sketches will naturally take on serious things, Ron said, but pointed out that aim is to “bring a much needed de-stresser to the public”.
According to Ron, the comedy show and variety series will debut at a time in the country when there is constant need for something light. He mentioned the trend of projects getting off the ground then crumbling after some time, noting that his show is “here to stay” provided the work plan is followed.
The show has already signed performers for its first season which begins on November 7 and ends on April 30, 2010. Contracts are renewable every season and though Ron feels the cast is strong, he said, there is possibility some people might not return because he is interested in discovering new people – an audition is slated for some time early next year. The first audition was held on October 17 and Ron dubbed it a tremendous success.
Once a month, close to two hours of comedy would be filmed and later edited to produce weekly 30-minute shows. He mentioned slam poetry, music and dance and stand-up comedy among the items to be included saying that they have some really entertaining pieces that the public will “just eat up”. The show is also scripted and the performers are currently in rehearsal.
Ron said he has put together a good team and based on what he has seen so far he feels the show will explode into something great. He noted that the performers are being paid regular salaries, adding that he has outlined his concept and it is now up to performers to bring it to life. Outside of the performers who total around 40 persons, there is a Board of Directors comprising Ron who is Executive Producer/Director; Olive Gopaul his wife and the Chief Executive Officer; Steve De Souza, Liaison Official; Linden Jones, Production Assistant; Henry Rodney, Creative Director and Howard Lorimer, Head of Marketing. He said too that Pastor Timothy King of the Dominion House is on board assisting them.
Currently, Ron is in discussions to explore the idea of marketing the show outside Guyana. He disclosed that already some offers have rolled in from sponsors to take the entire show, but he is not ready to talk. “I am not discussing any sponsorship or anything of that nature until after November, after then I will invite all the sponsors who are important and the discussions can begin,” Ron added.
He said the capital for the show was solely his, adding that he is not going to sell his show for $10 million when it is valued $30 million. “This is business and that doesn’t make any business sense,” he added. He said the money being pumped into the show has to cover production and salaries among other overheads.
At the official launch of the show on November 7, Ron will honour comedian Habeeb Khan with a lifetime achievement award. He said Habeeb Khan has been an icon in the country, but has been treated poorly. “It sets a bad precedent when we can’t take care of our own and we will start by correcting this at the launch,” he added. Habeeb Khan has a permanent role on the show. Further, Ron intends to set up an account in the comedian’s name. He said that people of goodwill can contribute to the account. “I can tell you that he needs help,” Ron added. (ianaseales@yahoo.com)
