It is a downright shame and disgrace that Montego Bay, Jamaica’s second city and high-profile tourism Mecca, is without a fully fledged theatre for the performing arts. There was a time when the Fairfield Theatre had pride of place for theatre aficionados in the western section of the island, including visitors, who wanted to be exposed to what local thespians had to offer akin to Broadway.

According to a Facebook post, “The Fairfield Theatre was converted out of the old pavilion overlooking the famed grass [tennis] courts of the once posh Fairfield Estate. It has the classic proscenium-type stage, with ramped seating for 175. It was founded in 1975 by Paul Methuen.”

Moon Author’s review noted way back then that “The Fairfield Theatre is the only venue in the MoBay area for small, amateur theatrical productions that strive to uphold professional standards. Performances are generally held on weekends. Fairfield Theatre was originally founded by Paul Methuen and Henry and Greta Fowler. The theatrical company was named after the Little Theatre Movement in Kingston, which was formed by Jamaican cultural icon like Louise Bennett.”

Thus, the Montego Bay Little Theatre Movement (MLTM) was formed.

In its heyday, the best contemporary works from Jamaica and the Caribbean were performed there, in addition to works by Shakespeare, Noel Coward, Peter Schaefer, Lorraine Hansbury, and Neil Simon. Indeed, it was on that stage this writer made history when he copped the 2001 Actor Boy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role because of his outstanding performance in Basil Dawkins’ Feminine Justice. This was the first time that an actor outside of Kingston and the Corporate Area was winning that coveted award. Other notable playwrights such as Trevor Rhone, Patrick Brown, and David Heron saw their works performed at Fairfield to critical acclaim.

But that was then. Today, the theatre is in ruins, inhabited by huge rats, rat bats and other vermin. Prior to its demise, many attempts were made to revive the theatre activities, most notably by award-winning director Douglas Proud, himself a longtime member of the MLTM; the late prolific local producer Sydney Reid; and latterly by upcoming comedian Curley Roberts. However, to rehabilitate that derelict structure would take millions of dollars as well as the fact there are unresolved issues surrounding its ownership in terms of the land on which it sits.

There was also the issue of how the theatre was perceived by the wider public. Because of its antecedents, it was seen as a “white people” place for the “topanaris” (aristocrats). But over time, with greater involvement by the local folk and increased use of native actors and directors, it came into its own as a preferred destination for the performing arts to be enjoyed by the wider public. One other negative factor was the theatre’s location, which could primarily cater to only people who “have a ride” and not “walk foot patrons.”

For many decades, Montego Bay has had a challenge staging plays and other major cultural performances. This writer recalls when the National Pantomime was brought to the western city after a horrific motor vehicle crash on the Queen’s Highway involving a bus carrying students who had gone to watch the pantomime at the Little Theatre. Both the late Sydney Reid and Barbara Gloudon collaborated to bring the pantomime to “country” to avoid the recurrence of such a tragic incident; and what an enjoyable experience that was for the hundreds of Montegonians and residents from neighbouring parishes.

Prior to the advent of the all-inclusive concept, some hotels used to accommodate dramatic stage productions but that is no longer the case, so producers and promoters have had to resort to school auditoriums or makeshift halls. Such a shame! Tourism earns billions of dollars each year and the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) has been the beneficiary of some of those funds which it has been ploughing into various projects so the big question is why there has been no meaningful attempt to provide Montego Bay with a state-of-the-art performing arts theatre that accommodates local, national, and international productions funded by the TEF? Time come!

In recent off-the-record conversations I have had with certain movers and shakers who are close to the seat of power, I was assured that “something” is in the pipeline and that Prime Minister Andrew Holness is quite desirous of this project becoming a reality. Every year, many students and individuals in the western region participate in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission performing arts competitions and do very well, yet they get little or no exposure at all because of the “Kingston is Jamaica” mentality. Certainly, a performing arts theatre in the western city would create opportunities to incentivise their talents by putting on shows that could also attract our visitors to an evening of Jamaican culture.

Culture Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange should seek to address this issue posthaste as it would add a tremendous amount of credit to her legacy. One would also love to see Members of Parliament Edmund Bartlett, Homer Davis, Heroy Clarke, Dr Horace Chang, and Marlene Malahoo Forte as well as the St James Municipal Corporation and the local chapter of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association add their influential voices to this call which so far has apparently fallen on deaf ears.

It must be understood that development cannot be just about “infrastructure” and the pouring of concrete. In a society that has become increasingly crass and prone to antisocial behaviour, the performing arts can play a pivotal role in creating a “softening” and civilising effect in the same way that sports can help to create a more peaceful and tolerant society. Government should therefore see the promotion of the performing arts as a very important developmental tool that can, in the long run, enhance the country’s social capital as well as create extended economic opportunities.

So far, the Holness Administration has bestowed on the city “gifts” such as the spanking new fire station and Harmony Park, while in the making is the perimeter road (bypass) and the upgrading of the iconic Hip Strip for which citizens are most appreciative. In the final analysis, though, the icing on the cake must be a theatre for the performing arts. Let’s do it!