The Jamaica Observer continues its reflection on the year in entertainment. This daily column looks on the achievers, trendsetters, those who died, and the controversies.

SUNDAY, August 12, 2018 was the final performance of the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica’s (NDTC) season of dance. While its dancers were going through their paces at the Little Theatre, Audley Butler, a founding member of the company, took his last breath.

He passed away in New York where he had gone to attend his sister’s funeral.

NDTC Artistic Director Marlon Simms said Butler’s death came to him with “utter shock and disbelief”. He had attended the season’s opening night performance in July.

“I had just seen him opening night and he gave me his customary warm embrace. That was just a few weeks ago and we had no indication that he was ill. He was a gentle giant and I was so pleased that he had accepted our invitation and come into Kingston from St Ann, where he lived, for the event. Mr (Bert) Rose informed me on Sunday during the final show, just before intermission, that he had passed. I then had to go on and tell the members of the company… I was in disbelief,” Simms told the Jamaica Observer.

Butler was known for his solid dancing and physicality. He became an audience favourite through the strong personality he brought to his various roles, which included the authoritative Rasta chief in Two Drums for Babylon, the imperious second shepherd in Pocomania, the calculating rival in The King Must Die, the visceral young warrior in African Scenario, the boyish schoolyard brat in Games of Arms, the jealous slave traitor in Legend of Lovers’ Leap, and the passionate suitor in Dialogue for Three.

Butler stopped performing full-time with the company in 1974 when he migrated to the United States. He is survived by widow Sandra, children and grandchildren.

— Richard Johnson