Sprangalang, now revered, was once shunned – colleagues

THE inmeasurable talent of the late Dennis “Sprangalang” Hall is now being revered and lauded, but his long-standing friend Errol Fabien recalled how he was shunned and at one time referred to as a “gorilla.”

Fabien recalled taking the now famous Cultural Sprangalang show, starring the character Draxie, to TTT.

“They sent it back to say how could we put that gorilla on TV. I was so upset,” Fabien said in a conversation with Hall’s widow Natasha Nurse (Sexy Suzie) during a virtual "bongo night" and wake for the comedian, carried live on Gayelle TV and Wack Radio 90.1 FM on Tuesday night.

Dozens of artistes, educators, politicians, media personalities and talk-show hosts joined in the celebration of Hall's life. Orisha songs and dances, including limbo, were performed for the safe transition of his soul into the spiritual realm.

Hall died on October 2 at 71. He had been ill since he was hospitalised with seizures last year.

Fabien said people like Christopher Laird, Sprang’s brother the late Tony Hall, himself and others stood their ground, and the local show became a cultural staple.

Calypsonian Eric “Pink Panther” Taylor also recalled how some of the same people who are now championing Hall'ss cause regarded him.

“Dennis Hall, Sprangalang, was a great man. Some people like they just recognise this. I thank God I had the privilege to recognise the man way back.”

As supervisor of community development in Sangre Grande some years ago, Panther said he invited Hall to be the feature speaker at a graduation ceremony.

“Some of my colleagues asked how could I bring a comedian to talk to the graduates, and I had to tell them he was more than just a comedian. A comedian is a very serious person and Sprang was able to connect with the students, who up to today tell you how privileged they were to hear him that morning.”

Calypsonian Johnny King, who joined in to bid farewell to the man he described as a legend and a star, also bemoaned the fact that recognition is only paid after death. He recalled when Hall fell ill and two fundraisers were held for his benefit, but only about 25 people showed up for the one in Port of Spain.

(Calypsonian and comedian) “Bill Trotman still alive. Is only when he dead we will pay big tribute to him,” King said as he performed one of his own classics, Appreciation.

“We have to appreciate our artists while they are alive,” he said.

Former government minister and now opposition senator Anil Roberts said working with Sprangalang for six years at Talk City radio was the greatest experience of his life. He said Sprangalang could take the most complex of issues and break it down for everybody to understand.

He said Hall was versed in analysing the economy, global politics, trade policy, the US and Russian intervention or the cold war, and possessed an innate ability to link together all the aspects of a topic from a economic, societal, historical perspective to make sense.

“I went to university, do masters, all kinda things. But sitting down with Sprangalang for six years on radio was the greatest education any human being could ever want. I love you, my brother.”

Talk-show host from 195.5FM John Benoit said Sprangalang was his protector and defender. He spoke of Sprangalang’s generosity in never accepting "big money" for jobs, but settling for a tank of gas instead.

But Fabien said that vexed him, recalling when he filled in at a gig for Spranglang, who was travelling, he got paid with a box of barbecue.

Dramatist, playwright, actor and educator David Sammy reminisced on their days at Naparima College. He said Dennis, who was in a higher form, distinguished himself from an early age as an all-rounder, excelling in sports, public speaking and as an MC at their many Carnival celebrations.

He said Dennis’ father Michael was a teacher at the college and had a great sense of humour which no doubt Dennis inherited.

Sammy said Naparima College was a fertile ground for many in the theatre industry who went on to become legends, including Fabien, Ralph Maraj, Devindra Dookie and Sprangalang.

Sprangalang will be cremated on Saturday at Belgroves Funeral Home, San Fernando after a cultural show at City Hall at 2 pm. The show will be livestreamed.

On Friday, there will be a drive-through at Belgroves’s Trincity Funeral home.