Praise & Laughter

The directors at Ellis International are particularly happy about their newest entertainment endeavour called ‘PRAISE & LAUGHTER’. Even with successful projects under their belt like the annual calendar event ‘Christmas Comedy Cook-up’ – now in its 14th year, as well as the ground-breaking ‘Backyard Crack-up’, and ‘Comedy Café’ series. And even with production work about to commence on the 10th season of their popular TV sketch comedy the ‘Ity and Fancy Cat show’ along with at least two other new made-for-television projects, the Ellis brothers, two of whom are now born-again Christians, are sending up special prayers of thanks for the groundswell of support garnered by this recent innovation.

“Praise & Laughter” is a new series that was launched early this year in Jamaica. The first-of-its-kind concept in Caribbean entertainment combines gospel music with family-friendly stand-up comedy to create a fun-filled mixture of joyous laughter and inspirational praise and worship. And the concept appears to have been an instant hit. A packed house turned up at C&C South Beach Café in Kingston for the premiere edition and the collective response of the crowd was like Psalm 126 verse 2, part of which says “Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with singing”. The timely innovation seems to be a winning combination indeed.

And why not? Gospel music is a big and continuously growing part of the Caribbean creative industry. Our love for praise and worship music usually also extends way beyond the pews and aisles in sanctuaries, and is definitely not limited to the church-going demographic, as it is not unusual for a soul-stirring gospel tune to be incongruously inserted in between the dancehall and soca music in clubs and dance spaces. Chart topping gospel singers like Jamaica’s Kevin Downswell, Jermaine Edwards and Carlene Davis, Sirrah of Barbados and Sherwin Gardner of Trinidad and Tobago also have large fan bases among secular crowds in their respective countries.

 

Caribbean people also love to laugh. It is therefore not surprising that humour is a constant and regular feature of the available entertainment offerings in the region. Whether by way of the numerous comedic productions in local theatres or via the words and antics of seasoned stand-up comics and witty MCs, the sweet sound of laughter remains an ever present melody in showbiz soundscape. After all, Psalms 100 clearly instructs us to ‘make a joyful noise onto the lord’. And there is no denying the fact that a good, hearty belly laugh is one of the most joyful of human noises that there is.

Powerful praise and worship sounds of music were provided by top flight gospel singers KEVIN DOWNSWELL, RONDELL POSITIVE and female duo iWORSHIPP. Newcomer singing sensation Allison Roberts and lovable crooner Richie Stephens also made surprise cameo appearances.

Who brought the laughter?

Ity & Fancy Cat – . Year to year favourites and Jamaica’s top trending comedy act for the past decade and more, the dynamic duo ably played the role of hilarious hosts. They kept the audience humorously engaged and happily occupied with a combination of their riotous routines and some belly busting interactive games.

 

To continue reading, purchase Vol.9 #1, 2017 Issue.