Stages Production goes to the movies

Simone Morgan

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

YESTERDAY, Stages Cinema had kicked off their newest venture 'Movie Monday' with the showing of roots play-now-turned-film Shebada Come To Town.

Bunny Allen, director of Stages Cinema, said the move was part of a thrust to move local theatre to main stream.

"A total of 18 plays being converted to movies over the next five years," he said.

Allen said he would also make it affordable for local filmmakers/directors to get an opportunity to showcase their works.

"When a movie is shown, the [other] cinemas benefit greatly while the return to filmmakers is very low. So, this is where Stages would come into play. Our returns would be reasonable," he told the Observer.

"Stages then will be the place where young filmmakers will get an opportunity to showcase their work once we are satisfied with the quality of their productions," he continued.

Allen said the movies current showing are formerly roots plays which now have become movies but that would soon change.

"We will be showing movies [which were formerly roots plays] for three consecutive weeks, then we will test the waters other productions," he said.

Over the next few weeks the Knutsford Boulevard complex will feature movies such as the 1975 flick Marijuana Affair which stars Carl Bradshaw, Calvin Lockhart and features late ambassador Dudley Thompson. Other movies include Ova Mi Dead Body, Bashment and The Plumber.

Stages Cinema started its operations nearly six years ago on Cargill Avenue. However, it was relocated to the commercial strip of New Kingston in December last year. The new complex houses two theatres, seating 250 and 160 persons, respectively.

Stages roster of actors include Keith 'Shebada' Ramsay, Abigail Grant, Andrea 'Delcita' Wright and Garfield 'Bad Boy Trevor' Reid.