4 months ago
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Rayon McLean, creative director and executive producer for the critically acclaimed play Pitchy Patchy, says fans can expect a “gala-level” experience when it opens at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St James this afternoon.
“The fans on that side of Jamaica are actually very fortunate. They are going to experience a much bigger showcase than what the average night in Kingston might look like,” McLean explained.
“Imagine the gala night in Kingston where you have all these tiers and all the benefits that come with each tier – that is what everyone from Montego Bay will get the chance to enjoy,” he added.
The initial plan, as McLean told The Sunday Gleaner, was to have one big show catering to as many persons as possible. However, the organisers were so blown away by the demand and support that a second show was added to the lineup.
The support from eager audiences on the western side of the island caused the team, especially McLean, to think a little differently.
“Honestly, we did some testing before with the market and it was clear that the demand was there for the product. But I am learning that I have underestimated the Pitchy Patchy brand,” he admitted.
“As we travelled across Jamaica…we were seeing people wearing Pitchy Patchy shirts and bags ... which means there are people who travelled all the way to Kingston to watch and support the play. And that for me was an eye-opener,” he added.
McLean credits the play’s success in part to the big names among the cast, such as media personality Simone Clarke, singer-songwriter Jaz Elise, social media star Evert ‘Evy Royal’ Johnson.
“I don’t underestimate that there are a few things at play, including the type of people in the show. They have national reach, so through them we have multiple touch points to connect with the Jamaican audience,” he said.
While Pitchy Patchy serves as the début theatrical performance for a few of the cast members, McLean says he had no reservations about including them in the production.
“There’s nobody that is a non-theatre person; theatre is not a birthright, it’s not a look. Once you have entered the space and you are playing, you are theatre,” McLean stated boldly.
The executive producer hopes to expand this level of access to more persons. He and his team hosted a free workshop at the Convention Centre in St James on Saturday to help budding theatre practitioners improve their craft.
“The workshop [looked] at acting and directorial techniques, devising theatre techniques and just sharing all we can with persons who have a love and passion to learn,” McLean said.
Pitchy Patchy plays this evening at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St James at 4 and 8 p.m.
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