Nuff Laffs at Laff-it-Off 2025
Heavy on the hilarity and chockful of satire, Laff-it-Off 2025 delivers skilfully placed jabs and punchlines which should come with a caution alert for their audiences.
Playing Saturday nights at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre until March 1st ,the cast comprising Janine White, Asha Elcock,Vilmore Johnson, Ishiaka McNeil, and Angelo Lascelles who is also directing, is bang on with their comedic timing as they provide plenty opportunities during the more than two hour-show for Barbadians to reflect on some of the more notable happenings of the previous year and a few of those taking place in the present year.
Themed Nuh Name. Nuh Blame. Nuh Lock-up ... if you want to know the difference between a cougar and a sugar mummy, you will find out but don’t expect answers from everything that comes up on stage whether it’s politics, poor customer service, insurance claims, love, relationships, or prime minister’s Mia Mottley’s overseas traveling, just know that side-splitting laughter abounds during the production.
Well-known personalities, the recent controversy surrounding TYK, the brown water situation in St Lucy, garbage pile ups, the crime situation and the US policies related to immigrants also come under the microscope at the Nook & Cranny Bar whose owners are preparing for a grand reopening.
The bar, which is the mainstay of the production which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is not immune from crime as Dolly, who has been in the US for three years finds out on his return. It’s best to see their security strategy first hand but know it involves some lifting and ducking and a well-placed kick by Nooksina (Elcock).
One of the more hilarious scenes is the commentary on the road accident claims which seemed to really resonate with people. Though a serious issue, the exchange between the injured Mr. Franklin (Johnson) and White (the clerk) from the Nook & Cranny Insurance Company evoked much laughter.
If politics is your thing, rest assured there is lots of skits that will make you crack up ranging from the prospective Barbados Labour Party candidates for the next general election, who is likely to get a ministry and the goings on and in-fighting in the Democratic Labour Party last year.
Bees Reddi is funny from start to finish as is the scene which took place outside the DLP’s George Street headquarters at last year’s annual general conference replayed brilliantly by two riled up, card carrying women members (White and Elcock).
There’s also a members’ meeting to expel “Ronnie and Steve” from the party during which you hear why Yearwood didn’t really stand a chance to lead and the tale of Leader of the Opposition Ralph Thorne.
One of the most memorable skits is the conversation between Dr. Ronnie Yearwood (played by Johnson) and Lascelles, whose impersonation of former Prime Minister Freundel Stuart is amazing. Why Yearwood sought the seventh’s prime minister’s advice on how to move forward in his political career and return to the DLP, is anyone’s guess, included “the Right Honourable Froons”.
McNiel’s return to the show after three years is welcomed and his realistic depiction of female characters as showcased in Barbados to De Worl and Are You Being Served which also featured Elcock and White, brought tears to people’s eyes.
Music is an important element of the show and is used effectively to spotlight issues Barbadians are frustrated about. Beautiful Barbados brings levity, but a good listen to the lyrics tells of dirty streets, school closures, and politics. De Cost of Pride (a solo performed by McNeil) shows Barbadians’ willingness to continue smiling while suffering from hardship.
The Peacock’s (Lascelles & White) performance of Musical Matrimony is funny, and 40 years sung by the entire cast sings, is celebratory and nostalgic. Like previous years, the show concludes with a tribute to soca artiste Mikey who celebrated his 20th anniversary in entertainment last year.
The acting is top-notch, the selection of notable moments from 2024 and their depiction and the music combines to make for a great show, one which the iconic cultural showcase is synonymous with. Entertaining and causing massive audiences to Laff-it-Off for 40 years is no easy feat. The entire Laff-it-Off team should take a bow.
