Outstanding talk show host, Journalist and Playwright Barbara (nee Goodison) Gloudon has died. The veteran Broadcaster passed away last evening only 13 days after her husband, Ancile Gloudon.
Gloudon was born on February 5, 1935, to Vivian and Doris Goodison in Malvern, St. Elizabeth, but mostly grew up in Kingston with the family relocating to the capital city early in her life.
Gloudon’s professional life in the media landscape began in 1951 when she was hired as a Reporter at the Jamaica Gleaner. Gloudon also worked as a Feature’s Editor with responsibility for Barbara Gloudon arts and entertainment.
While reporting on events including the Little Theater Movement National Pantomime, she was invited by Greta Fowler to “try her hand” at script writing.
Gloudon had prior experience in theatre at St. Andrew high school where she participated in the Schools Drama Festival and was tutored by the late Jean Watson, one of the celebrated drama teachers of her time.
In addition, Gloudon accepted the challenge from Mrs. Fowler and did her first script – Moonshine Anancy in 1969. This was based on the major news event of the time – the landing of American astronauts on the Moon.
The production starred Louise Bennett and Ranny Williams.
In 1972, Gloudon was again invited to write, and she did Hail Columbus. This was a satirical look at the arrival of Christopher Columbus and the impact on the Arawaks.
Gloudon’s affiliation with the LTM continued. She went on to create other works “The Witch” (1975) took on the topic of Annie Palmer and the Rose Hall legend. This proved to be Louise Bennett’s last Pantomime as she retired after the close of the season and later migrated to Florida and then Toronto.
Gloudon returned to write again in 1978. Johnny Reggae, the first in the Pantomime series to focus on the growing phenomenon of Reggae music, proved to be one of the strongest crowd pleasers, playing to record audiences in Kingston and Montego Bay.
Her next effort was 1981 when she created The Pirate Princess based on the tale from old Jamaica of two female pirates, Mary Read and Anne Bonny, who were crime-mates of the dreaded master pirate John Rackham aka Calico Jack.
An option on the script was later taken up by the Temba Theatre Company and produced in the Greater London Council’s Black Theatre season. This production was staged at the New Arts theatre in London’s West End, the first and only one to date in the Pantomime series to be so honored.
Meanwhile, Gloudon also captivated airways on RJR’s daytime talk show for 20 years by tackling hard hitting issues, traditional values as well as national pride.
As such, Gloudon was awarded the Order of Jamaica and the Order of Distinction, Officer class for her immaculate contribution to Journalism and the Arts.
Other awards bestowed includes a Bronze Musgrave Medal and the Centenary, a Medal from the Institute of Jamaica, and was conferred with the honorary degree, Doctor of Letters (D. Lit), by the University of the West Indies.
