Jooky Jam proves good comedy never gets old

For over 30 years, audiences have been laughing alongside Jooky Jam, one of the most enduring characters in Jamaican roots theatre.

Portrayed by veteran actor Stede Flash, the crowd favourite is known for his signature strut and razor-sharp comedic delivery, both of which have cemented his place in local entertainment history.

The veteran actor, director and producer continues to draw packed audiences across the diaspora, proving that the appetite for authentic Jamaican comedy remains as strong as ever.

These days, Jooky Jam is bringing laughter to audiences via Once Upon a Crime, a comedy written by Michael Denton and directed and co-produced by the theatre stalwart. According to Jooky Jam, the production blends humour with a storyline rooted in real-life situations.

“The play is inspired by a real-life scenario and we just put a little comedy to it,” he told THE STAR.

The plot centres on two sisters living vastly different lives. One enjoys wealth acquired through questionable means, while the other struggles to make ends meet. When the wealthy sibling finds herself in trouble after deciding to get rid of her third husband, an unlikely alliance involving a hustler, her sister and the latest husband sparks a chain of events packed with deception, drama and comedy.

The production features a seasoned cast including Maxwell Grant, better known as Bashy, Diane Dixon, Sherna McLeod, Trudy Diva, Lavern Williams, Miss Kushie and Swavian Loney.

The ensemble has been touring extensively throughout the United States, Canada and England, destinations where Jamaican stage productions continue to attract loyal audiences.

“The cast is well-rounded and talented, and we know we haffi come a yard soon. So we have plans for a Jamaican run near the end of December going into early January,” Jooky Jam said.

While his career has taken him around the world, Jamaica remains at the centre of his story. Jooky Jam recalled his first appearance on stage in 1985 at Green Gables Theatre and credited the church for sparking his love of performance.

“My first commercial play was Boopsie ,directed by the late Hyacinth Brown. What drew me to theatre was, in fact, the church. I used to do Sunday School scripts and, one time, I played Jesus and mash up the place. Everybody said, ‘Wow! How that short Jesus so bad?!’”

His passion for acting was further nurtured at Excelsior High School, where he came under the guidance of drama teachers Ronald Gossop and Kevin Winter.

Ironically, one of Jamaican theatre’s most enduring characters was never carefully crafted in a rehearsal room. Flash said Jooky Jam emerged from a script by the late Paul Beale, who encouraged him to develop a signature walk for the role.

“In order to bring the character to life, he said Jooky Jam comes with a walk so you have to figure out the walk. I just came up with it naturally.”

The character became so popular that many fans struggle to separate Jooky Jam from the man who plays him.

“I can tell you that thousands of people see me and exclaim, ‘Wait deh … a nuh so you walk? No sah!’” he said. “They are in love with the Jooky Jam character but, when they meet me as Stede now, they say, ‘You a cool youth man.’ I love my audience, so I never try to hype pon nobody. We meet in the street, and it’s all love.”

For Jooky Jam, that connection with audiences extends beyond his own generation. Rather than viewing social media comedians and influencers as competition, he sees them as the next chapter in Jamaican entertainment.

“Acting is my joy. Yes, money is important but, once you love the craft and create the work, money will come,” he said, before praising several emerging content creators. “It’s a good look, and it’s only going to get better. I’m so happy for them that they can earn while they entertain. It can’t get any better than that.”