Love, betrayal, hardship

The Pinelands Creative Workshop did an excellent portrayal of life, love, relationships and societal struggles with the theatrical production When Night Turns To Day at the Parkinson Memorial School.

Premiering on Saturday, the play which was written and directed by Rodney Grant, showcased the discrepancies of the residents of Cattle Town. The main arch of the production followed the marital conflict of Bailey, acted by Josean Devonish. Bailey was in a relationship with his childhood sweetheart, Joyce, played by Shelly Durant-Forde and was conflicted by her ‘infidelities’.

During the play, the audience was captivated by Devonish’s performance of a loving husband of low-income status who fell into the deep end. Overcome with jealousy, struggling to hold on to his failing relationship, he was on the verge of physically assaulting his wife when his sister’s wife Mildred, portrayed by Nadia Mitchell-Gittens, intervened. Mildred who is also the Pastor’s wife was Bailey’s voice of reason.

Heartbroken and horrified by his actions, Bailey sets out to save his relationship. While Bailey is focused on saving his troubled relationship, Joyce is preoccupied with providing for her family especially her eight children. She was overwhelmed by her circumstances and the poverty in which she lived. This was clearly evident as she struggled to get her children to do household chores – her pent up frustration could be felt by the audience.

The play touched on how multi-faceted humans were – a pastor with a ‘wandering eye’, a preacher’s son who was a delinquent and a drug dealer, and a devoted wife and mother who was tempted to dance with the ‘devil’ in the form of an old fling.

When Night Turns To Day was a candid peek at the myriad of social issues affecting the poor community of Cattle Town – all done using song, dance, and drama. It took the audience on a rollercoaster ride of emotions from frustration to anger to contentment.

The play continues with showings on April 13 and 14 at 7 p.m. at the Parkinson Memorial School. (KK)