6 times to celebrate

A COMBINATION of the tough economic situation and strategy has forced Celebration Time to cut back on the number of shows this year.Manager Peter Boyce told WE Magazine the tent is holding six shows this year, compared to eight last year. He is still promising that patrons a better time this season, however.Speaking at the launch at the Plantation Garden Theatre last Tuesday, Boyce said members of the tent would not be censored and that they planned to live up to their tasks.Celebration Time prides itself with bringing the best in social commentary, party and comedy. A comedian himself, Boyce said the last played an important role in the tent and wider society as evidenced in the American show Saturday Night Live.“Notice that every single political candidate always makes a point to appear on Saturday Night Live. I just want to look at the importance of comedy, ’cause I believe that as a comedian, as entertainers are under rated as [it] relates to our influence….So I believe that comedians play an important role. If you take a look at David Letterman, our David Letterman may be people like Mr Mac Fingall, and comedians play an important part and it’s important we recognise that. It’s important that comedians reflect what is happening in society,” Boyce reasoned.In a year when tent managers are lamenting about the lack of sponsorship, Celebration Time has landed some major entities, and he said effective marketing was key.“We try to put together the best cast that we can get, we try to put together the best marketing campaign that we can do. We present all of this to the sponsor and we just try to get them involved. And we really work really hard to get the sponsor’s product exposed as much as possible,” he said, adding that someone on the team had the responsibility of making sure the sponsor’s product got the maximum amount of coverage.The tent opens at the Plantation on July 4 and continues through July 29.Following is the list of the 2010 cast: Edwin, Li’l Rick, Mac Fingall, Ishiaka, Khiomal, Ramases, Hypa Kids, Queen T, Reddman, AC (junior monarch), Babydoll, Cyclone, Long Fellow, Underdog, Rusty Pin, De Coopa, Keann, Salt and Verseewild.There will also be guest appearances by Stabby The Guard, Mr Impact, Tiffany G and Madame Do So. (YB)