KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Andrew Holness, has commended Father Richard Ho Lung and the Missionaries of the Poor for their enduring contribution to Jamaican culture and theatre, noting the outstanding quality of their annual musical and stage productions.

Holness made the remarks during a recent visit to the Missionaries of the Poor’s Hanover Street facility in downtown Kingston, while reflecting on the impact of Father Ho Lung’s cultural ministry through the Father Ho Lung and Friends Foundation.

He noted that the productions rival those of any private theatre company and have become a staple of Jamaica’s theatrical landscape.

“I’ve been to several of them. In fact, I’ve been attending since I was Minister of Education. I’ve made it a point of duty to attend, and I have been to quite a number of them. They are all well done,” Holness praised.

The prime minister also highlighted the quality of the behind-the-scenes work that contributes to the success of these modern adaptations of classic biblical stories, making them both memorable and relatable to audiences.

“It’s amazing… the effort that is put into the script to take the Bible story and convert it into a relatable, modern script that people can understand. Then there are the incredible costumes, design and wardrobe, which are usually period pieces that match the periods that you’re trying to depict,” Holness remarked.

The prime minister also praised the choreography and music, noting that “it’s an entire production that is worthy of the accolades that you have received; and you are doing all of this while still on the mission to take care of the poor”.

In response, Father Ho Lung expressed gratitude for the prime minister’s continued support and extended a warm invitation to him, as well as the wider public, to attend this year’s upcoming production – ‘Sugar Cain’.

The musical will be staged at the National Arena in Kingston on October 3 and 4, and again on October 10 and 11.

Sugar Cain offers a contemporary adaptation of the biblical story of Cain and Abel, exploring the strained relationship between two brothers whose conflicting values and opposing views on helping the poor drive them into deep division and conflict.

Grounded in the principles of the Missionaries of the Poor, the production emphasises brotherly love, self-sacrifice and service to society’s most vulnerable.

Proceeds from the production will go towards supporting the ongoing humanitarian and charitable work of the Missionaries of the Poor.

—    JIS