– says writer/producer Ronald Hollingsworth
A play out of the ordinary, “83 Million Gees” had its debut and a very successful run countrywide in 1997, when it won an award for the writer/producer, renowned Guyana playwright Ronald Hollingsworth. Although written as a satirical skit meant to tickle the funny-bone, the play in and of itself carries a deeper message in the context of Guyana’s socio-economic and political landscape.
Hollingsworth has taken tremendous liberties with all the serious business that the lawmakers of the land pronounce on in the hallowed halls of Parliament and translated it into caricature format, taking potshots at politicians and those swayed by their rhetoric in equal measure.
In simple words, Hollingsworth has used the frame of his play to place a metaphorical mirror reflecting the ridiculous and the obscene of the denizens of this jungle known as the Guyanese society, where sometimes we forget our own identities in the personas thrust upon us, or we embrace through our political loyalties.
He addresses all the stereotypes across the divides and create a laughfest that will make the members in the audience cringe as they recognize themselves and their own idiosyncrasies in the characterizations.
But this figurative analogy to the Guyana social and political equation, as framed within a struggle for pilfered money, may make the people of this nation take a second look at ourselves, then recognize that the things dividing us as a people are infinitesimal and not worth dividing and destroying our nation over.
“83 Million Gees will be on at the National Cultural Centre on June 23 and 24, beginning 8.00 p.m.
The play is based upon a multicultural, multi-racial group of Guyanese who decide to steal 83 million dollars from a vault, only to come to loggerheads over the division of the spoils – which is a reflection of the socio-political equation in the country.
However, this action becomes a vicious struggle as they each demand unreasonable portions of the money.
Veteran actor/producer/director, Mahadeo Shivraj came to Guyana from New York specifically to be a part of this play. He plays the lead role, with strong support coming from Lloyda Nicholas, Derek Gomes and Michael Ignatius.  Shameeza Husein plays the role of the 75 –year-old Penny Pincher, and a strong defender of her son’s ill-gotten gains. Featuring also would be Mark Kazim and Chris Gopaul.
Tickets for 83 MILLION GEES are on sale at the National Cultural Centre, Giftland Office Max and Splasmins, and cost $1,500, $1,200 and $1,000.
It’s hilarious, it’s rib-tickling; you will leave the theatre in stitches and tears as 83 MILLION GEES unfolds today at the National Cultural Centre.