The Chillout, a play produced by Tito Adams’ Open Waters Theatre, opened to audiences over the weekend at the National Cultural Centre. This is the producer/director’s fourth major production and undoubtedly the best so far. For this production, Adams has tightened his storytelling, adding just the right dose of drama, humour, thought-provoking messages and heart-tugging, inspirational nuances.
The story took attendees through the life of a family embattled over the ownership of “The Chillout”, a community bed and breakfast and restaurant enterprise.
The business also serves as the neighbourhood meeting point, including for a young street hustler played by Adams, as well as a husband who uses the venue as a place to escape his wife, finding solace in whisky, chicken and fries, and good conversation.
The real drama unfolds when the older of two brothers returns with the intention of taking over The Chillout, potentially displacing the “community members” who use it as a hangout.
The Chillout features a powerful mix of characters including Webster, the funny community “bum” who does odd jobs around the business, which he calls home. Then there is Johnathan Peters, the younger Peters brother who runs the business willed to him and his wife. He anchors himself as the centrepiece of the play with a formidable performance.
The production also offers just the right mix of musical performances, transforming into a semi-musical of sorts in the second half of this roller-coaster, spellbinding story.
As the scenes unfold, the older Peter reunites with the daughter he had abandoned as a child and reconciles with his brother. Two of The Chillout’s employees find love, relationships are salvaged and the community’s favourite place to hang out remains a beacon of hope, love and faith. In the end the production was most deserving of the riotous applause from the audience.
It is my hope that this will not be the end of the production. “The Chillout” has to be experienced by a wider audience, and even students of theatre arts.
Tito Adams, who secured greater sponsorship and support for his latest production, is deserving of continued backing. He is an amazing talent grounded in his faith and family, something which comes out naturally in his offerings. We can’t wait to see what he delivers next.
