‘The Bitter End’ stars still shining

Big Maff and cast of hit production living positive lives

When the lights faded on the final scene of this country’s most acclaimed television productions, its main character Brian Butcher was locked away at the mental asylum, his father Neville had consumed a poisonous substance, his mother Gracie had suffered a nervous breakdown and his drug supplier Big Maf was housed in the ‘mental home’ two cells away from him.{{more}}

The main characters of the 1992 television production of ‘The Bitter End’ had gained overnight national prominence, thanks to their roles in a story which carried a message that touched, and is still touching, the core of our society; a story of love, pain and the scourge of drug abuse.

But where are they now; 16 years later? Did art imitate life?

Gladly, the persons portraying the doomed ‘stars’ have all gone in positive directions.

Main character ‘Brian’, portrayed by Nathaniel ‘Junior’ Jackson, looking back at the production, has no regrets for playing the character which he is still remembered for.

He replaced his brother James Jackson, who played the part brilliantly when the story first appeared on the stage of the Peace Memorial Hall in 1990; the elder Jackson had chosen to begin his studies in Theology when the idea of making a film had surfaced.

“I had never seen the stage play,” Junior recalled. “So I went to Jimmy and asked him for advice, but in his wisdom he encouraged me to make my own interpretation of the role. He, however, mentored me through the scene when I was rummaging through the garbage bin, though.”

The garbage bin scene is one of the most memorable of the entire production.

Following the airing of the feature, Jackson enjoyed basking in the glory of his new found fame, but learned that the down side of it was that his every move came under the microscope of public scrutiny.

“I had no difficulty dealing with it (the fame), but what ever you do can’t be done in private because your conduct would be linked to your character.”

Jackson acted in a number of plays following The Bitter End, including the play ‘In the Spirit of King Jah Jah’ at CARIFESTA V in Trinidad and Tobago.

His part in The Bitter End earned him an Organization of American States sponsored scholarship to hone his acting skills at the Edna Manley College of Visual and Performing Arts in Jamaica.

That is where he met his wife Rhea.

The 42-year-old currently resides in the Twin Island Republic with his wife and three-year-old son Julian Nathaniel. The couple is currently expecting their second child.

He runs a successful import/export business, and is in the process of embarking on an E-Commerce venture.

Jackson said that it is unfortunate that the opportunity was not seized while the film was in heavy rotation to produce more features based on the success of The Bitter End.

“I really thought that they would have acted on that a long time ago because I saw the potential of not only a sequel, but also for further development of the theatre and film industry in St. Vincent.”

“It would have served as a very good catalyst since it held the interest of the country. It should have been taken advantage of when the iron was hot.”

Also sharing his sentiment, are other key members of the cast.

His on screen parents (Neville and Gracie, played by Howie Prince and Louisa Martin-James) would both love to see another production with or without their characters.

Prince, who was at the time employed with the Ministry of Education, is currently the head of the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO)

The married father of two said that the experience is a life lasting one that still affects his life in a positive and humorous way to this date.

Martin-James is still called Gracie by persons who remember her role in the production.

Married now for 12 years; the VINLEC employee’s son Kyle topped this year’s Common Entrance Examination.

She considered her role as a personal achievement, and is encouraged by the fact that persons who saw the feature were able to relate to the message.

This message was the brainchild of Maurice Horne, who played the role of Big Maf in the film production.

Horne, who wrote and directed the production, also replaced his brother Brereton after the stage presentation in 1990.

The now retired civil servant said that he is extremely proud of the production and cast that brought to light the effects of drug abuse, which had just started rearing its ugly head.

Horne has had a colorful career since The Bitter End; from a court bailiff, to G.I.S employee, to the OECS comedy champion, Courts spokesperson and minibus operator.

He also sees the potential for a sequel or something similar in the future.

One other character of note is the corrupt police office that led Big Maf to his bitter end; he was played by a young Ronald Marks, who is currently one of the country’s top criminal defence Lawyers.

Other persons credited with making the production a success were James Jackson, Douglas Walker and Peggy Carr, who did the entire filming of the production with one camera.

The entire process took nine months.

Although the cast and crew have not met officially over the years, they still remember their encounter together and cherish the opportunity to have been a part of Vincentian history.