– Represented Guyana well
GUYANESE comedians Lyndon ‘Jumbie’ Jones and Chris Gopaul, who have been making a name for themselves internationally, are still reeling in purely positive memories from their experience last week performing in Barbados at “Cocktails and Comedy – A world of laughs.”
Jumbie and Gopaul brought the house down when they joined with other comedians from Barbados, Trinidad, and Canada at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre last week Sunday; the Guyanese in attendance adored their performances no less than the foreigners from different parts, some of whom were perhaps hearing Creolese for the first time.
It all started when Chris was on vacation in Barbados last June and got in contact with ‘Rum and Coke’, a comedian duo who would do small events around Barbados. Simon ‘Coke’ Alleyne invited him to participate in a show that he had at the time, and he was impressed by the performance. He called him recently to participate in last week’s show.
Gopaul could not have chosen better when he teamed up with Jumbie. Everyone knew Jumbie and shouted for him as they walked around promoting the show.
The reception the duo got when they went around the Barbados Bus Park and marketplace, where quite a number of Guyanese people can be found, was especially outstanding.
They also were well-received at Flash Point, a Guyanese place where people party. The Guyanese entertainers also truly represented on the actual night of the show. “We brought the house down,” Gopaul told Pepperpot Magazine and the promoters had to ensure they found more chairs for the people who kept pouring in.
“Jumbie is the one that set the mood. We were nervous because it was a lot of pressure on us because of the amount of Guyanese support. But once we touched that stage, that was it. Energy was high.”
Jumbie said the experience was enjoyable from beginning to end, thanks to the promoters who ensured that everything was in place. He also enjoyed meeting and working with the other comedians and said they were a friendly bunch; instead of feeling he and Gopaul were on competition, they felt connected to the very friendly entertainers.
Not expecting a very large crowd, Jumbie was pleasantly surprised to see people there for the show two hours before it got underway. “They came out in their numbers. We had a large Guyanese crowd and what we did was very well received. We had the audience going.”
“Chris went on and brought the house down literally (a part of the wall fell during his performance). He interacted with the audience and had them playing along with him,” Jumbie shared.
Not a single person left dissatisfied, and they all waited till the end of the show, even gathering to take photos and congratulate the team.
Commendation, not criticism
The love received by the duo in Barbados was nothing short “touching” Jumbie expressed. It’s nothing new to him, though, as everyone loves him, and he has been receiving such love over the years.
To him, once an entertainer is trying, they should be given some credit, even if they screw up. “We need to be commended and encouraged. Don’t attack us; we need encouragement. If we go out there and fail, the hater fails as well because we are representing all Guyanese.”
The ‘Nothing to Laugh About’ (coming up in June) director cannot help but notice the progress being made when it comes to support from authorities but says there is still a far way to go with this. Even so, he doesn’t believe in constantly complaining. “I never like to look at that. We need to fend for ourselves like every other person doing any other job; we shouldn’t be complaining all the time.”
Gopaul shared similar sentiments but noted that just as other entertainers get help from the authorities, comedians also need it. “The singers get a lot of stage and credit; comedians need it too. Nothing against the singers; I want all of the artistes to progress because it is time for Guyana now. The rest of the Caribbean had it for the longest while. But Guyana has the talent, the people to do it, the know-how, and just how the ministry would help other sectors to progress, for people to see them and for people to shine, we need it too. And for the longest while, we have been doing it ourselves.”
Even with limited help and resources, Gopaul said people the world over are loving Guyanese talent. “We are no longer local comedians; we are Guyanese, international comedians, because we have done this internationally and we are still shocking people with what we can do. Wherever we go, people enjoy it. The Caribbean people, they love what we do; we are a force to be reckoned with in the comedy arena.”
