Posted by: travadmin on Nov 24, 2003 – 06:50 PM
artsandcrafts  This profile will feature one of the most talented professionals to hit Bahamian shores – ever.

I refer to James Whitehead, proprietor of the Nassau Florist on Shirley Street.

Let’s have a peek at the extraordinary talent of James Whitehead and briefly explore his love of theatre and make-believe.

Jim, as he is affectionately known, has been a friend since the 1970s and, when this clever Scottish lad arrived in Nassau, I for one was mega impressed with his style in general and his decorating wizardry in particular.

I learned so much from him, not just about aesthetics (appreciating beauty) but also about the art of entertaining. Today, I know how to prepare a dinner party for six persons (from scratch) and still look fresh and alive and in control when the guests arrive at my door. Thanks, Jim. Of course, the exorbitant cost of living in The Bahamas precludes my entertaining as I once did in Toronto, and I do look forward to being able to cook and cater for friends when I return to Canada shortly.

On his arrival, Jim first worked as a window designer for such grand boutiques as Mademoiselle, Ambrosine, Treasure Traders and the Nassau Shop. Before his arrival, window display was nothing more than one or two girls in their stockinged feet, nicely arranging the merchandise in a shop window. Jim, on the other hand, designed, built and decorated his own props and he was the first to create themes in window display.

He arrived in The Bahamas as a well travelled, experienced and sophisticated young man, having worked for quite a time in the style capital of the world (London) and there he also developed skills in floral design.

Personally, I used to feel honoured when he asked me to give him a hand decorating individual Christmas trees for select Lyford Cay residences or the lobbies of chic Cable Beach hotels like the Balmoral.

Jim loved Broadway music. Guess who was his very favourite female singer of all times? Why, that quintessential English vocalist, Julie Andrews, of course. Perhaps this snippet from Julie Andrew’s biography gleaned from the Internet might explain Jim’s infatuation with the divine Julie:

“One of the great movie stars of the late 20th century, Julie Andrews’ stage career has been neglected by most authors and websites. In her early years, Julie appeared in pantomime, revue, variety and charity events as well as a play and a Royal Gala. After the Broadway musical, “Camelot,” she was primarily a film actress although she returned to the stage at times during her career.” (http://www.c20th.com/JulieAndrews/)

Does this brief description of Julie Andrews ring a bell? To me, at any rate, it is clear that Julie and Jim had perhaps been born under the same star. And this love of performance and make-believe constitute yet another facet of James Whitehead’s enormous talent.

Around 1973 when I taught at Government High (for the second time) and resided on Nassau Court while Jim reigned supreme in an elegant colonial structure a block away on Queen Street, Jim decided to throw a New Year Cabaret in the lush gardens behind the colonial structure of the grand house where he lived.

The cast comprised a merry, madcap and motley crew: a Scottish window display person; a Bahamian linguist ***** danseur par excellence and two wonderful English lads then teaching in Nassau.

We rehearsed to perfection (I can remember practising with morning coffee Diana Ross’s lyrical “Touch me in the morning.” How achingly poignant.)

Some hours before Junkanoo, our New Year Cabaret began. “Jesus Christ Superstar” was the rage at the time, and naturally this Broadway musical also featured in our cabaret – and big time.

Guess who played Julie Andrews? No surprise there! Of course, the sultry black vocalist played a combination of Diana Ross and Shirley Bassey. Wow! He also performed the Dance of the Seven Veils at the close of the performance.

In the theatre things never quite get off without a hitch. C’est la vie. It had rained the evening before and while rehearsing his dance, the author in the role of Judas accidentally slid on the damp roof of the lower porch.

Dressed in naught but some skimpy French thong, my inner thigh made contact with one of those mega hot spotlights and, yes, I did indeed see Jesus in the midnight hour! The pain was incredible but after a visit to a certain physician on west Bay Street, I returned to the set because, as all thespians know, the show must go on! And so it did.

Jim is a veritable icon in Nassau. He has written pantomimes, directed and starred in them; worked with the Nassau Operatic Society and participated in loads of events at the Dundas. He has trained many Bahamians in window display and now in floral design. He has contributed to our young nation in so many ways and we are blessed to have adopted him as a Bahamian citizen.
Note: By Kermit B. Fernander