A group of gifted men and women are looking to ‘change the playing field’ in the local sketch comedy industry. For those who may not be acquainted with the term, sketch comedy consists of a series of short comedy scenes or vignettes, called ‘sketches’. A sketch usually lasts from one to ten minutes, and is performed by a group of comic actors or comedians, either on stage or through an audio and/or visual medium, such as broadcasting.

Sketches are often first improvised by the actors, and written down based on the results of those sessions.
With its dynamic composition of personalities, The Reactors are hoping to bring a refreshing approach to comedy. The group members include Randolph Critchlow (main writer and director), Mark Kazim, Mark Luke-Edwards, Leon Cummings, Tashandra Inniss, Sean Thompson, and two associate members, being Nirmala Narine and Michael Ignatius.

The ambitious group, making its way into the hearts of citizens across the country, told Gtmemoirs a little of its history, and just how it got the name ‘The Reactors’.

“The group was established about a year ago, after comedian ‘Chow Pow’ hired Randolph Critchlow to write some skits for one of his shows. After the initial success of the show, ‘Chow Pow Comedy Jam’, the decision was made to bind together those who had participated in the show and start as a group for hire.”

The group has since been performing all over the country, eliciting inspiring responses, the members explained.

As for the origin of the name ‘The Reactors’, it is said to be reflective of the time the members spent at the Theatre Guild acting workshops.
The members said, “At our first learning ground as actors, we met Mr Malcolm De Freitas and he coined the phrase “actors don’t act, they react.” The truth of that statement resonated so deeply with us that we thought it would fit, since we benefited so much from that institution; and we strive to stay true to the very grain of our passion, hence we call ourselves ‘The Reactors’.

The group has done over twenty performances across Guyana. It has performed at schools, churches, fairs and many other concerts.

The group acts and makes decisions as a body, hence there is no manager or leader when it comes to decision-making. The director, Randolph Critchlow, oversees the creative aspects of action on the stage, but the group works as a unit of talented creative young people.

The main objective of the group is to provide entertainment that can be enjoyed by all, and to create a brand that can be sold locally and internationally.

“We want to become a household name in Guyana and the Caribbean region. We bring a new and fresh approach to sketch comedy in Guyana’s theatre through stand-up comedians, dancers and poets. With the potential we have, we are certain that The Reactors will be a force to be reckoned with,” the group asserted.

The group has also asserted that perhaps what sets it apart from other similar groups is its composition. The group brings together the young people who are at the top of their game and are poised to take over the industry, along with their fresh approach to comedy and a focus on providing the public with high-octane comedy.

By Alex Wayne