‘FOUR CAN’T PLAY’

The dramatic-comedy play direct from Kingston, Jamaica, “Four Can’t Play,” starring Oliver Samuels with Ruth Ho Shing, Maylynne Lowe and Dennis Titus will make its United States premiere on Saturday, May 20, 8 pm at Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts.

Managing editor of EVERYBODY’S “Caribbean” Magazine said he is proud to present the sizzling play. Following the Saturday show, the popular play is scheduled for Northwestern HS Performing Center, Hyattsville, MD on Sunday, May 21. Oliver Samuels’ “Four Can’t Play” returns to New York on Memorial Weekend for performances at York College, Queens, May 26, Family Partnership Center, Poughkeepsie, May 27 and Lovinger Theater @ Lehman College, Bronx, May 28 for two shows, 4 pm and 8 pm.

Playwright Basil Dawkins recently told the British press “My new play is a rip-roaring comedy.” “One young couple is planning to divorce; an elderly couple is planning to get married. They share adjoining rooms at a hotel weekend retreat for married and soon to be married couples. The real problems of their impending marriage and divorce are more frankly “trashed” out at the hotel’s poolside than at the counseling seminars to hilarious effect. The play is suitable for the entire family.”

The play is directed by Douglas Prout and Toni Kay Dawkins.

Oliver Samuels has appeared in many Hollywood movies and was in an ABC-TV sitcom in the 1970s. He lives and works in his beloved Jamaica in order to develop Jamaican theater and sustain the nation’s rich cultural tradition.

Dennis Titus

Titus has appeared on theater stages in Europe and U.S. For young people who wish to develop a career on stage and screen, Titus encourages them to always “study the script and research the character they are portraying thoroughly.”

Maylynne Lowe and Ruth Ho Shing are brilliant in “Four Can’t Play.” They are following the footsteps of one of Jamaica’s national heroes, Miss Lou (Louise Bennett.)

Miss Lou is remembered as a poet, folklorist, writer and educator who promoted Jamaican patois or Jamaican Creole. She was an actress in her own right and graced the world’s stage such as the famous Brooklyn Academy of Music. She appeared in several Hollywood motion pictures including “Calypso” in 1956 and “Club Paradise” in 1986.

Maylynne Lowe

Maylynne Lowe began her stage career with a ballet and musical theatre background. Early on she gained notoriety for her role as Tanya Blackburn on Jamaica’s long running TV show, Royal Palm Estate. This is her 6th Basil Dawkins’ production. Her wish for theatre in Jamaica is that new stages will be built and the fine arts supported from both the government and community with an enthusiastic and immediate approach as she feels that there is very little support and outlets for actors to showcase their talent.

Ruth Ho Shing

Ever consistent, ever sure, Ruth Ho Shing is depended on by all cast members whether on or off stage to steady the ship regardless of how trying the circumstances are. Ruth tries always to seek truth in the characters she portrays and conveys to the audiences at every performance the deeper meaning of the character’s dilemmas in an unblemished and honest portrayal. She is forever grateful to Basil Dawkins’ Productions for providing a steady outlet for her creative talent and for the friendly camaraderie of the team from conception to birth to spreading of its wings.

One of the first theaters in the Americas (or “New World”) was in Port Royale, Jamaica. The tradition continues in today’s Jamaica where its annual theater season begins the day after Christmas and ends in the beginning of May for the commencement of international performances.

Corporate partners of “Four Can’t Play” NY/MD performances are Western Union, Grace Foods, Dennis Shipping and Tower Isles.

For tickets and information for all venues (718) 941-1879, MD/DC/VA (240) 460-0442 and to purchase tickets on line for all venues: www.everybodysmag.com.