Controversial but entertaining is perhaps the best way to describe the dramatic performance by the Caymanian delegation at the Theatre Guild Playhouse on Tuesday night. The two-member cast of Quincy Brown (George) and Fritz McPherson (Bob) gripped the attention of the capacity audience in attendance, as they performed Frank McField’s One Black, One White. Overseas-based Guyanese Henry Muttoo, served as the play’s director and set designer.
The play revolves around two homeless friends George and Bob who are despondent after their wives have left them. In an attempt to find meaning to their situations, they engage in role playing, with each taking on the role of the other’s wife.
The play’s controversial nature came to the fore in the role playing since much of it was sexually charged. During these scenes members of the audience could be heard questioning whether the play was depicting homosexuality. This was not helped by the superior acting skills of the two men who fit into female-character almost perfectly. So while, there was much laughter, there was also some degree of uneasiness among some sections of the audience.
One of the play’s dominant themes was that of the importance of relationships-not only between husband and wife, but also between friends. The play ends with the men realising that they need to depend on each other if they are to survive in the world.
For those interested in the deeper analysis of the play, several psychological issues are discussed with Freudian themes being very pronounced. The pervasive sexuality in the scenes and their connection with violence is definitely one of the thought provoking aspects of the drama.
On another front, the actors’ attempt to find meaning to their lives borders on the whole question of existentialism. As the characters search for meaning in their lives they end up rejecting several options including religion. At one point in the point, George contemplates taking his own life since he feels that life is indeed meaningless. The conclusion of the play seems to present an answer to this question.
However, the most impressive aspect of the play was the set. The appearance of two men residing in the streets of a run down area was communicated distinctly and powerfully to the audience with the thatched roof, rusty zinc sheets, carts, wooden crates and more. Credit must also be given to the members of the cast who used the set well in their performance.
Speaking after the show, Muttoo told Stabroek News that the performance was good and expressed happiness that it was well received. He, however, felt that some aspects of the drama “could be tightened up”. He was also satisfied that the play achieved one of its main objectives, which was to challenge the audience intellectually.
