A Tribute to Jeannette Layne Clark
“The thoughtless theories of thirty thousand thespians” that’s a phrase I constantly repeat to myself, before any appearance whether it be radio television or a public speaking event. This was taught to me by the late Jeannette Layne Clark, the purpose was for me to practice pronouncing my “th’s” properly to correct the speaking fault most bajans are famous for…
I attended Jeannette’s “Speak for your self” course back in 2004 and because of the tutoring efforts of her and Sharon Marshall I started to pronounce my “th’s” correctly, so when you hear me on the radio saying three instead of tree, that is Jeannette’s teachings living on in my speech..
When you hear me speaking badly well you know that would not please Jeannette, she was known for calling up broadcasters and correcting them for their mangling of the English Language.
Jeannette was a woman who spoke her mind, back in December 1983 she said of Madd’s first yuletide release the song should be “thrown into the inner recesses of the nearest dust bin” even when she told you off she did so eloquently.
Which then led to Madd immortalizing her in our next release “Janet” which continues to get airplay all like now.
Jeannette was renowned for her proliferic writings, her weekly newspaper columns “Lick Mout Lou” and “Private line”. Also the novel “A Villa in Paradise” and her hilarious comedy pieces “Okras in de stew” “Partners in profit” and the long running stage production “Pampalam”
I had the privilege of being directed by Jeannette in 30th anniversary Pampalam in 2007, which was the last one staged.
I was Ali Singh in the “Partners in Profit” piece for that year and I learnt a lot and enjoyed it immensely. Ali Singh got to ride a bicycle on stage every night that was bare fun.
Jeannette was brave enough to put the controversial Peter Boyce in her production which some people would not have dared to do.
Also in that Pampalam were Marvo Manning, Merle Niles, Sade, Janice Perryman, Wendell Thomas Yolanda Holder, Eleanor Rice and Angela Weithers.
The production was written, produced and directed by Jeanette.
At the end I got every body to sign the program for that year, but I missed getting Jeannette’s and drove around with the booklet for months intending to pass and get it signed… It’s too late now…
I sat with with Jeannette on the CBC Board on the one meeting she attended as Deputy Chairman before she resigned because of illness.
When I attended Jeannette’s funeral I made sure and pronounced my “th’s when I was singing the hymns,
Jannette is gone but her excellence and legacy lives on
“The thoughtless theories of thirty thousand thespians”
If during the reading of this blog there is any thing I might have written which might have incensed or offended you, GET OVER IT! There are many things I read and hear in the media on a daily basis that I don't like either. SO DEAL WITH IT! You are welcome to leave your comments though. Make sure and come back yuh hear !!!...
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February 22nd, 2009 at 3:06 pm
May she rest in peace
February 22nd, 2009 at 8:51 pm
i like that thoughtless thespians thing. if i did know that from evasince i wouldnt get in summuch truble ith my th’s
rest in peace janette
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:20 am
honestly i never knew who she was or what she did until i read about her in the newspaper, may she rest in peace
February 23rd, 2009 at 2:11 pm
We have lost a great bajan writer. Rest in Peace!
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:57 pm
She Did So Eloquently
Sometimes she told us off but always for the best
Her critique appraisals led to greater finesse
Encouraged us to say our th’s in the word these
Didn’t give journalists and broadcasters any literary ease
I didn’t know what Madd’s “Janet” was about all along
Didn’t know they had immortalize Mrs. Layne-Clark in song
She deserves all our accolades and even more
“Okras in the Stew” was worthy of every encore
Episodes of her hilarious comedies made all Bajans proud
Learn English, she’d advocate but remember your Bajan dialogue
Oratory greats, actors, politicians and any technical guru
Quick to progress but they should master Bajan dialect too
Using Bajan like in “Pampalam” and “Partners in Profit”
Encourages a sovereignty and develops good habit
Nationhood that respects “Private Line” and “Lickmout Lou”
That knows to boast Bajan but when to be prim and proper too
Life is better for critics like Jeanette Layne-Clark
You were much wiser to have listened to her every remark
Another Acrostic Poem fromThe Bajan Poetry Society To the Memory of the late Jeanette Layne-Clark
February 25th, 2009 at 12:26 am
JEANNETTE WILL SURELY BE MISSED…I ENJOYED HER…..WHER CAN I OBTAIN SOME OF THOSE LOTTIE AND MABEL STUFF…..J
February 25th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
somebody called me ??
February 27th, 2009 at 7:56 am
I am not sure Jewel where u can get Jeannette’s audio comedy stuff, her book “a villa in paradise” was available in “the book den” in belleville
Yes that “thespian” quote works jdid, just bet the “th’s right
khaidji thanks for the poem, excellent as usual
March 15th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
would like to get a copy of her book Bajan Bandinage
March 29th, 2009 at 11:32 am
I admired Janet Lane Clarke. She was my silent teacher. I read her columns and they were some of the reasons why I bought the newspapers that featured her submissions. May she rest in peace.
August 4th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Jeanette was my pen friend. We started corresponding when we were both at junior school, that’s a long time ago, circa 1950!! She came to England when we were about 15 and she saw snow for the first time, I’ll always remember her face that day, it was a picture I will always remember. We have kept in touch all these years and our lives have followed similar patterns. I visited Barbados in 1991, the last time I saw Jeanette, and she really made my holiday memorable. We have always kept in touch and I miss her dreadfully, knowing that she was always there when I wanted a friend to talk to. Thank you Jeanette for always being a great friend.