Wig-wearing comedians fear gay label .... oh boi

I found this one hard to believe when I read it the first time around and then again; my memory chipped in and then I realize some of these younger comedians as it were are either unaware of the journey of their predecessors or just plain dumb and out of touch with their audiences and culture. Mi did think seh some folks bigger than that but boi am I wrong.

Jamaican roots plays in particular and indeed stand-up comedy has built their reputations and attraction from intermittent effeminacy or effeminate male characterization for decades despite our homophobic attitudes but such characterizations are digestible from the stage. Remember the old names.

Firstly

The Star carried this on October 27th:

from his recent video 

Dutty Berry (pics from the internet)

Several male Jamaican comedians have found fame on social media by sometimes playing the role of females in dresses and wigs, but some persons are disgruntled with the idea and are labelling the males as homosexuals. A Facebook post captured the general sentiments of those opposed to males playing female roles in their comedic skits.

"What's up with all these Jamaican comedians dressing and acting like women complete with wigs and all? My comment is unreserved. If you dress and act like women to be funny then we have no choice, but to see you as being 'funny'. We get the message, now stop acting," the post said.

my fan base

But Dutty Berry explained that he plays female roles in his videos because a female is not always readily available to participate, and may not be able to depict the role as humorously as he could. The comedian conceded that he was initially hesitant to act as a female, however, after experimenting with the role once, he has found that people gravitate to it more than his other content.

"I find that females form a large part of my fan base and they love my content. Your job as a comedian is to entertain so you have to give the people what they want," said Dutty Berry said, who has a recent video in which he is seen wearing a red wig playing a 'matey', who is "putting wifey in her place".

Another male comedian who often plays female roles is Dale Elliott, popularly known as Elli the Viner. He usually wears a green towel wrapped around his head to depict a female character. He noted that he is cognisant of the notion that males who play female characters are often referred to as being gay which is why he treads carefully when he attempts to take on a female role.

"I know how Jamaicans are, so I don't go all out and wear wigs. I only wear the towel on my head, but my tone and masculine demeanour doesn't change because I don't want people to label me as gay," Ellie the Viner said.

"Don't judge a book by it's cover. People are sometimes harsh with their criticism, but they should remember that at the end of the day, it's just acting."

unconventional props

pic added by me

Meanwhile, Kvonne Legore, popularly known as Prince Pine, sometimes plays the role females but uses unconventional props to depict the characters

"I try wig one time and me neva like it. I try to use anything except wig on my head. I use shoes box, shirt, towel and even me brief. I don't want people to wonder about my sexuality so I stay far from the wig controversy," Prince Pine said. However, he added, "It's all for entertainment. It's been around for a long time and not just in Jamaica, so I don't see why Jamaicans have to bash it."

ENDS

from one of his latest videos

So what if people suspect one is gay? once you put yourself out there there is bound to be criticisms and perceptions formed of you. The photos above says alot so if I were him just expect the perceptions. Dutty Berry has built his name on a semi effeminate presentation in voice especially yet expect us to accept this stance on not wearing props or playing roles of effeminate men or women roles! Sadly we are not a nation overall that respects and recall or repeat our histories it is seen or treated as discarded knowledge so I am not surprised at this latest foolishness, as the English or others do they pride their histories, as in the introduction it is the very effeminacy that has come to define roots plays with a number of characters over the years coming to prominence.

such as:

Ranny Willams aka Mas Ran

Bobby Ghisays who lived down years of his perceived homosexuality while he was in theatre, also see: Remembering Bobby Ghisays 2011Gleaner

Volier Johnson has dawned a wig or two in his long career yet hardly any barbs are thrown at him in terms of him seen as gay

The King of Jamaican Comedy Oliver Samuels is the leader in wig wearing, effeminacy and despite the perceptions of him he is loved none the less because he entertains and gets the job done He would not be Oliver if he diverted otherwise.

Keith Shebada Ramsey is a smart one has picked up on the trend following the footsteps of Oliver and has capitalized on it most successfully despite the barbs thrown at him he still packs houses when his plays are released and is loved

The late Cleve 'Chu Chu' Warren held his own in the market

scene from Bashment Granny with Rude Boi Trevor & Shebada

Mawell Grant(above) of Maama Man & Bashment Granny fame - with a career that spans decades and plays to his name like Maama Man, Once Is Enough, Passa Passa, Man Fi Get Bun, Serious Business and Bashment Granny, Grant says he still does not have any plans to end his acting career any time soon.

Maxwell wearing the wig in the flyers

"No retirement. I will go until the end. When I tell producers that I want to retire, dem ask if mi mad. Look out for 2015, I know it will be a good year," he said in an interview earlier this year see more here: 

Glen 'Titus' Campbell known for his ability to play any role has dabbled with some effeminate characterization over the years.

Even dancehall acts have gone wig wearing as part of their presentations:

Ninjaman in his trademark Ninja suit and hat and the effeminate gesticulations yet noone calls him a battyman

also see: Dancehall DJ Tony Matterhorn gets backlash ... for posing in female wig on Instagram

Nearly every actor who is somebody has done some characterization embodying effeminacy and the props to go with it and life goes on, frankly one aint no actor if you are afraid of playing a role and separating oneself from perceived notions of ones sexuality or orientation. Plays such as 

'Unda Mi Nose' 

'Passa Passa'

'As Yuh Si Mi Gimme'

'Ras Noah & The Ark' 

'Shebada Comes to Town'

'Granny Rule' 

'Clafy' 

'Bun Fi Bun' 

'Xtortionistz'

'Brother Desmond'

'Suga Daddy' 

'Police Without a Baton' 

'Titus in Town' 

'Wifey Run Tings'

"I've Got Your Man'

'Two Bun One Time'

'Money Worries'

'Duppy in the House'

'Patrick Brown's Vibes'

'Sarge in Charge' (Oliver Samuels)

'Higglers in Town' and so many others have all incorporated effeminacy in their male characters at some point as part of the comedic aspects of the piece. So a word to Dutty Berry et al you aint worth the salt if you are afraid of labels because you played or dressed an effeminate or woman part. I am sorry for us creatively if this is the thinking that continues; I hope some maturity will come down the line.

Madea goes to Jail 2 stills played by Tyler Perry

Why does imported movies such as the Madea franchise do so well? Nearly every actor who is worth the salt dabbles in female characters, 

Mrs Doubtfire played by the late Robin Williams

Martin Lawrence as Big Momma

Hugh Laurie (Dr House Fame) played a woman

the toughest of the tough and have lived to tell the tale unscathed:

Too Wong Fu promo which also includes a cameo from Rupaul featuring Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze, John Leguizamo 

remember this Will Smith & David Letterman kiss? It never damaged Will's career .... in fact it may have enhanced it,played a homosexual in the movie '6 Degrees of Seperation,' in that movie Will's character had sex with a white man

'Nuff said .... grow up and move on.

Peace & tolerance

H