Be like Roy

Show founder and storyteller Paul Keens-Douglas told the audience that this year’s show was dedicated to Greaves’ memory.

Greaves was a performer in Talk Tent in his popular role as the loud mouthed Roy together with his stage wife Gloria played by Dawn Henry. The two characters also featured in a number of television skits tackling parenting issues in dysfunctional family setting.

At the Talk Tent opening Keens-Douglas said that they shared many moments of joy with him and he was there with them in spirit.

“So here’s for Hal.” A number of the performers either mentioned Greaves during their sets or included him in their pieces. Pierrot grenade Felix Edinborough described him as a “very dear friend” and noted how he helped peopled in Sea Lots and would talk to gang members.

“A man of integrity.

Whatever little good we can do let us do it like Roy,” he said.

Avion Crooks in her piece as a snack vendor mentioned “Roy” as one of her customers and all of the things he enjoyed eating.

Ke e n s - D o u g l a s during his set said locally people are hearing a lot about values and are “swamped” by talk of it. He said people cannot buy values at Hi Lo (now Massy Stores) and said there is a need to go back into the culture for this. He pointed out that Greaves was one of the people who tried to make a positive change and though he is gone he is not forgotten.

He described him as a storyteller, community worker and a change maker.

He played an audio of Greaves delivering a humorous story about why women can laugh at men but not vice versa.

Keens-Douglas also performed a short piece in honour of Greaves.

Greaves, a peacemaker, father figure and activist in Laventille, died October last year from a heart attack. He was 55. Following his death he received a litany of tributes including from Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams, media personalities, religious leaders and the arts community.