President of Barbados attends Laff-if-Off 2025
After nine shows evoking bellyfuls of laughter, the curtain closed on this year’s edition of Laff-it-Off last Saturday night and what a season it was!
From opening night on January 25th to March 22nd, hundreds of people including President of Barbados Dame Sandra Mason who attended the final show, laughed at the foibles of everyday life and the happenings in the country’s political arena, brought to life by a stellar cast of actors who were supported by an excellent crew.
Held at the Lloyd Erskine Saniford Centre, the sold-out season finale was made special for the Laff-it-Off team as guest of honour Dame Sandra, after being greeted on arrival by the show’s Artistic Director Cecily Spencer-Cross, met each member of the cast before the start of the show.
Not only did the President chat with actors Janine white, Vilmore Johnson, Ishiaka McNeil, Asha Elcock and Angelo Lascelles who is also the director, but she took photos with them, which was an extra treat for the entire Laff-it-Off team which is celebrating the production’s 40th anniversary.
Ian Estwick, Executive Producer of Barbados’ longest running consecutive theatrical production, said this was Dame Sandra’s second time at the show and she seemed to enjoy it as much as other Barbadians.
While the President is not the first head of state to attend the show – former Governor-General, the late Dame Nita Barrow attended as well as the late Sir Denys Williams when he was Acting Governor General – she will be the first to be captured for posterity as the season finale was recorded.
“Although it is not unusual for us to host the head of state during any given season of the show, having Dame Sandra attend this year, meet the cast and take a photo is not something we take for granted. We appreciate that she consented to do so, and we look forward to hosting her at our other shows or productions,” he said.
Estwick thanked the sponsors, the Division of Culture in the Prime Minister’s Office, the lighting and audio companies, his front of house team, the team at the venue and the media for coverage, noting that their contributions were valuable and ensured the production took place every year.
He also expressed his gratitude to every patron, the regulars who “never miss a show” and those who attended for the first time, for attending saying the show would not go on without their active participation.
“We can write scripts, start rehearsals from October and put on a top notch show but if it weren’t for the individuals who attend, immerse themselves in the show, respond with laughter and tell others, then we would be doing it in vain.
“We thank everyone for their feedback, their kind words, their constructive criticisms and thoughtful suggestions to change some aspects of the scripts things some of which led to modifications during the season. Your laughter is always heartwarming. It is a barometer by which we measure what we got right and what we can tweak. It also serves to motivate us to continue providing an outlet for us to laugh at ourselves and bring moments of levity amid the seriousness of everyday life.
“It gives us immense pleasure to know that after all these years, Laff-it-Off is fully entrenched in Barbados’ cultural landscape and is part of our heritage. We hope to be around for many years to come. Thank you, Barbados!”.
