Patrick Brown scores another banger with ‘Boopsie’s Homecoming’
Published:Thursday | January 1, 2026 | 12:08 AMNicola Cunningham/Entertainment Coordinator
What if you had one big dream and discovered that someone you love was the architect of its demise? What would you do when you made that discovery, and how would it colour your relationship going forward? This forms the basis of Patrick Brown’s new play, Boopsie’s Homecoming, which premiered on Boxing Day at the Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston.
The packed auditorium, which The Gleaner attended last Saturday, bore witness to another well-crafted production, one that reminded Jamaicans of an epoch not too long ago when greed gave way to financial ruin. The time stamp was 2008, when countless individuals, companies and even churches poured money into Ponzi schemes such as Cash Plus and Olint, only to be left destitute and desperate in the end.
The story revolves around the Joneses, but not the kind people aspire to keep up with. After slaving away in the cold and chaos of America, Boopsie Jones, played by Glen ‘Titus’ Campbell, decides he has had enough and packs his bags to return home, expecting that the money he had been sending for eight years to his wife, Petal, played by Renae Williams, was being used to build their dream home.
Without informing his wife or extended family, Boopsie turns up unannounced, eager to see the almost completed mansion on the hill. His arrival, however, throws the entire family into a tizzy, as Petal’s brother Larry, portrayed by Courtney Wilson, and her father Pappa, brought to life by Davis Crossgill, become unwilling accomplices in her efforts to keep Boopsie from discovering the harsh truth of their current situation.
The story examines what happens when dreams and reality fail to align, and just how far people will bend the truth to assuage their consciences. While this may sound deep and thought-provoking, make no mistake, it is a comedy of epic proportions, with belly laughs aplenty, as evidenced by the uproarious reactions of theatre-goers throughout the auditorium.
The cast was brilliant in its delivery, with each actor clearly understanding their role and portraying it to perfection. Seasoned veterans Campbell and Wilson knew exactly what was required of them, but kudos must also go to Williams and especially Crossgill, who has levelled up after previously taking on smaller supporting roles.
As audience members shared afterwards, it was money well spent. For Kingston resident Yolanda Clarke-Lewis, the message about some people believing success should come at almost any cost was a timely one.
“It was quite interesting. The best part for me was the ending when the family found out what Boopsie was hiding and were all still willing to work together. My favourite characters were Boopsie and Petal,” Clarke-Lewis told The Gleaner.
Eric Murray, from St Catherine, shared that he could never forget that period in Jamaica when people got carried away using other people’s money.
“I found it to be excellent. The acting and the dialogue were exceptional. From the start, I’ve been laughing, and it brought back the whole Olint issues presented in a comedic way. Glen and Courtney are always standouts for me, though the entire cast was superb.”