“Fair is foul and foul is fair” — William Shakespeare, Macbeth
Food for the palate and food for the soul are planned for a singular evening in Queens when Broadway World Award winner David Heron delivers a double delight next month honoring a Caribbean colleague — who died last year.
Heron will premiere Dominican Alvin Bully’s reimagined “McBee” which parallels a William Shakespeare classic.
The culinary offer promises Jamaican eats prior to the reproduction of “Macbeth,” produced and directed by the revered Jamaican actor/playwright/director who invested in a tribute/staging which begins at 7 p.m.
Heron is currently steeped in celebration of his recent award winning theatrical conquest, however, he plans a one-night showcase of Bully’s dream play.
“Sadly Alwin transitioned before we could get any incarnation of the play onto an American stage,” Heron lamented in a press release.
Slated to make its US debut at Jamaica Performing Arts Center in Queens on June 23, he said the revised play will deliver a literary lesson on Caribbean interpretations of diasporan writers.
“This American premiere production is really a celebration of him and his lifetime of amazing achievements, of which McBee is only one.”
Reportedly, the Rousseau-born playwright hoped to collaborate with the respected Jamaican thespian before his untimely passing last year.
Allegedly, Bully relentlessly sought Heron to partner his vision of an American showcase of the reimagined production but the writer transitioned before realizing his ambition.
Heron is determined to fulfil the mission and during Caribbean Heritage Month the collaboration will realize fulfilment of an aspiration, pay tribute to the Dominican, and celebrate Caribbean culture.
“Alwin has been the the single greatest supporter, influencer and mentor in my entire career,” Heron added.
Suffice it to say, he felt obligated to embark on the project which showcases the rescripting of Shakespeare’s murderous now classic “Macbeth” which localizes a plot using recasted principals, reworded dialect and a plethora of comprehensive language audiences will readily relate.
Take for instance the seven riddling words above or recall the indelibly memorable high school, home work assignments compulsory to memorize for English Literature – – “Double, double, toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble…”
Bully also transformed the setting where prophetic words expressed by three witches predict a bleak demise.
The classic finds Shakespeare penning cynical remarks of hypocrisy and interjects opposing adjectives to ponder.
The 16th century, writing by the British, playwright relayed volumes many continue to decipher into the 21st century.
Bully reimagined a Caribbean conversion using relatable parables to provide comprehension when three Rastafarians predict the future of corrupt politicians in a wicked script.
Set on an unnamed Caribbean island “McBee” follows the story of respected husband and wife politicians Allan and Alice McBee.
A release stated “On his way home from general election night following his party’s victory at the polls” McBee is told he would be given the leadership position as prime minister.
How the prophecy evolves is worth the ticket.
As producer/director Heron plans to fulfil the collaborative dream Bully envisioned.
“I would not be the artist I am today without him,” Heron added.
Already he has assembled an impressive cast of characters including renowned three-time Actor Boy award winner Karl O’Brian Williams — who will portray Prime Minister Vere Duncan Sr., Miranda Melhado (young politician) Emilio Evans (politician) Luke Forbes and Denise Hunt (Allan and Alice McBee).
Heron himself is revered for his award winning role in “The Tempest.” Among other stellar roles he also lists an impressive resume which includes: “Romeo & Juliet,” “Hamlet,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Anthony and Cleopatra,” “Othello,” “The Winter’s Tale,” and enumerable productions.
For sure, enlightening interpretations will shed new perspectives on the bewitching presentation and its indelible quote: “Fair is foul, and foul is fair.”
For more log onto mcbeetheplay.eventbrite.com
Catch you On the Inside!
