‘Dat Is Man’ back at Queen’s Hall

The issue of appropriate casting, above all else, presented itself especially, that of two young actors to play the roles of the teenage characters.

Almost two years later, it was a potent concoction of sheer perseverance, keen directing and the magic of the ensemble cast that caused the comical explosion that took place when Dat Is Man took to the Central Bank Auditorium stage last week.

Audiences and critics alike declared, decidedly, that Dat Is man, directed by Raymond Choo Kong, is indeed one of the funniest productions to come along in a long time!

For those who missed it, this caper of confusion, collusion and love, will run at Queen’s Hall from today to Sunday. Dat Is Man is the sequel to Choo Kong’s very first production, Run For Yuh Wife, which first ran at the Arima Town Hall, way back in the 80s.

In Dat Is man, the director continues the story of John Smith, as he captures each punch line with precision as is his well-known penchant in comedic theatre.

Raymond Choo Kong holds it down, naturally, as the smooth-talking John smith who must contain his unspeakable secret of two wives —one in Belmont and one in Woodbrook, played by the deft superwomen of local theatre — Penelope Spencer and Debra Boucaud Mason.

Newcomers Tova Miller and Andrew Friday anchor well as Mr Smith’s children, Vicki and Gavin Smith who discover each other online and are about to strike up a deep, meaningful relationship. It is the play’s protagonist and John Smith’s side-kick, Stanley Gardner in the form of comedian Wendell Etienne who keeps the plot’s frenetic pace moving along as he slaps on fabrication after fabrication, in an effort to keep Smith’s sexy, secret marital arrangements in check, and everyone’s lives from falling apart.

Dat Is Man is breathless, bust-a-gut, serious comedic business .

Tickets cost $100 and can be obtained at the Queen’s Hall Box Office.