Day Tony made me a bodyguard

EVERYONE HAS a Tony Hall story. If you ever came in contact with the late actor, director and playwright you were blessed to become the recipient of his boundless energy, his love and respect for this culture and his warm sense of humour. Tony was one of those people who could elevate people to a whole new, unexpected level of confidence and creativity.

My Tony Hall story is one of my fondest memories. It happened about 34 years ago, on an evening I walked into Gayelle’s studio.

If memory serves me right, journalist Niala Maharaj, who was a presenter on Gayelle along with Tony and actor Errol Sitahal, had asked Suzanne Lopez to drop something off for her. I can’t for the life of me remember what she dropped off.

I took a break from packing my suitcase to accompany Suzanne because I had just gone on vacation and I had an early morning flight to the US.

When we walked into the studio, Niala and Tony looked serious, but their expression instantly changed to one of great joy. I can’t recall if Errol was there at the time, but I still see Tony and Niala smiling.

In those days, Gayelle featured a short soap opera as part of its show that highlighted TT’s culture. The episode filming that evening would have the corrupt politician in the soap opera addressing a massive crowd. The filming would take place at a fete just before a session with David Rudder and Charlie’s Roots.

Tony had cooked up an idea to have two white bodyguards for the black politician. He and Niala had already enlisted Maurice Brash, when I happened to walk in the door. I can’t remember how they talked me into this role. I do remember their exuberance as they slipped a thick black leather coat over my T-shirt. I wore jeans, and Niala found a long earring and a leather cap. Tony put a pipe in my hand and gave me my acting directions.

“You and Maurice will walk through the crowd, parting them for the politician to make his way through. When you get on stage, you’ll both take a corner, scan the crowd with a menacing look on your face and hit the pipe against your hand.”

I believe Errol was the politician, but I was too wrapped up in my role to remember for sure. Strangely enough, I didn’t feel frightened. That’s remarkable considering I am a recluse at heart. I don’t have an acting bone in my body, but there wasn’t a moment I ever considered walking out. I got caught up in Tony, Niala and Errol’s humorous take on the bodyguards. It seemed like perfect satire to me.

At the fete, we waited forever. I got sunglasses to wear and when the lights came on and Gayelle filmed that long walk to the stage, the audience co-operated, stepping back and watching with serious consideration. No one disrupted the scene; no one heckled. The bright, blinding lights didn’t intimidate me.

I saw Tony several times after that night, but I never brought up my moment in the spotlight or how much it meant to me. My acting debut was so out of character for me. No one in the world could have given me the confidence to step out of what would ordinarily be my comfort zone. Tony and Niala made me feel like I could challenge myself on a whole new level.

True, it was a small, insignificant role as far as acting goes, but it was a huge step for me because it required courage and a sense of humour that I would have never been able to summon on my own. If Tony Hall could pull me out of shell and elevate me to a whole new level, imagine the effect he would have had on real actors who came into his orbit.

Tony Hall died of a heart attack on April 26. He left this world suddenly. The man who gave his heart to culture and theatre in this country will be missed and remembered forever by everyone who knew him. He was a good soul who inspired those around him to think bigger and bolder, but remain simple and humble.

Thanks to Tony and Niala, I had my one and only acting job in life. Because of Tony, I know that important people are those who help others to see themselves in a whole new light.