The Jamaica Association of Dramatic Artists (JADA) has expressed its regret at the passing of Stafford Ashani - one of Jamaica's outstanding actors, film-makers and playwrights.

Ashani died last Tuesday and was buried last Friday.

As an actor, Ashani worked locally with many of the major writers and producers, including Trevor Rhone, Barry and Lloyd Reckord and Carol Dawes. But he was also introduced to international audiences via his work in film - acting in movies such as Kla$h, with Jasmine Guy and Giancarlo Esposito, and Just Like America with Andor Lukats, as well as in the Lorimar-produced TV series Going to Extremes, with Erika Alexander.

In a press release JADA said: "Stafford Ashani recognised the value of the role that theatre can play in the development of a nation and its people - telling researcher Susanne Schwinghammer-Kogler during a 1995 interview that theatre can help a people find their identity, repair injured lives, and define the feelings which people have about their culture as a result of their experiences."

Ashani was once quoted as saying: "Theatre is essential ... like water, it refreshes. That's why I do it and love it."

Ashani was a member of the Visual and Performing Arts of Jamaica Cluster of the Private Sector Development Programme, serving not only as a dedicated work group representative but as the informal chair of the (television) writers' group.

Huge potential

Theatre aficionado Trevor Fearon described Ashani as an artiste of "formidable intellect and focused determination".

"Jamaica has lost a vibrant contributor to the theatre arts - someone who had firm opinions about the huge potential that exists for the industry if concentrated attention were paid to tapping that potential," said Dorothy Cunningham, president of JADA. "We will miss him and JADA joins in extending condolences to his entire family - including his father, Victor, and his four children, who all reside in the USA."