Colourful designs and music graced the stage at Bus Big, held at the National Arena on Saturday night.

The Gleaner-sponsored event was staged for one night only as a fair crowd greeted the show with enthusiasm to watch the dramatic musical take place.

The drama was set in an inner-city community. The stage featured a large set with zinc-roofed houses, large housing schemes and a street where the majority of the action took place. The plot featured two warring communities which make peace through the assistance of the protagonist, a Grammy-award-winning artiste who returns to his impoverished communities.

The star soon falls in love with a girl from the other side of the gully. There is no communication as the bridge which originally joined the two community was destroyed. The bridge is symbolically rebuilt at the end of the play. Musically the songs were a mix of old-fashioned Jonkunnu, dancehall and reggae. It was well choreographed with colourful costumes.

Coming together for peace, the play ends in harmony for both communities after much violence. At the end of the play, singer Etana graces the stage as another "future Grammy award winner" singing Meditation, Wrong Address and other hits for the delighted crowd.

Scenes from the musical Bus Big held at the National Arena on Saturday. - Peta-Gaye Clachar photos