There is an aura about Henry Rodney which says he is more than the average looking image he contentedly projects, and that is because someone of his substance can only do so much to mask his distinction.

Henry has an enviable career in the local arts. He walks around with a name that very few people don't know and a face that is easily recognizable. His years in theatre: drama, comedy and poetry have and continue to set him apart.

But it is his undying passion and aptitude for the arts which draws admirers and has won him the respect he ought to have. Four days ago he sat down with us to talk about what has been happening in his life and his role as Cabi in Rohit Jagessar's Guiana 1838 among other things.

"Guiana 1838 is quite a story but it has been such a joy. It was an experience like no other and at the same time, a familiar feeling. Maybe it is hard to put into words just how I feel but I was fortunate to have been a part of the project," Henry says with a smile then sits up straight in the chair and starts chatting.

He converses in animated fashion and every other word that rolls off his lips is followed by an action. He is like a child telling a very exciting story and he pauses every two minutes to ensure that you are following. The conversation on Guiana 1838 is full of so much energy you could easily imagine Henry is on set and the camera is rolling or he is rehearsing. Henry Rodney

His role in the movie has been praised as a creditable performance. Some loved him, others felt he could have done more with the role had his character developed some more, while some said he was good. As for what he thinks, let us just say he has already received the "You were in Guiana 1838" look of admiration from people in Canada and Trinidad and Tobago.

The story of how get got involved is interesting. Henry was working on a stage show when someone mentioned that auditions were being held for roles in the film. Having done two films before - Jezebel and Mustard Seed - both which were shot locally he decided it was time to do a third.

At the audition, he comfortably read and secured a role and later met Jagessar. Henry said the director shared his dream of making the movie with him and asked for his help in realizing it. He was overwhelmed and happy and offered to assist.

It would be more than two years after that day that Henry would again meet Jagessar. The two lost communication and when Jagessar returned he held fresh auditions. Henry went a second time, auditioned for the same role and got it only this time, Jagessar was closer to making his film than he had ever been.

Shortly after Jagessar approached Henry and asked him to help find actors to play the roles of his father, mother and younger sister.

"I knew right away Neville Williams would be my father because I know his work and how good he is. I was working with Brenda Massiah at the time on a stage show and she immediately came to mind. Later I was able to find my sister," Henry related.

When Jagessar was ready to film, the cast and crew went up to Berbice and remained there for about a month. Henry describes the experience as "absolutely wonderful". He said the scenes shot at night were the best because of how the cane fields at Berbice would transform and take on a different look. Added to this, he said, persons living in the villages close by walked through miles and miles of cane fields to watch them work.

As for what he enjoyed most about filming Henry said it was the scope that Jagessar allowed him and the people he worked with. He was high in praise of Kumar Gurav and Neville Williams. But more in praise of Jagessar for the dream he shared, that is Guiana 1838.

His film credits aside Henry Rodney is arguably the best local comedian on stage today. No matter where he is or what he doing if someone hands him a microphone and requests a joke he could provide one and keep them coming. He has represented Guyana in the Caribbean, Canada and the US.

More than a decade ago he formed Thrillers Theatre Group and has trained some of the better comedians on stage now such as Linden "Jumbie" Jones and Kirk Jardine. But Rodney is neither boastful nor accepting of praise instead he says the drama group is fortunate to have had the likes of Jones and Jardine to be part of it.

To date Henry Rodney has acted in over 200 local stage shows. He has been with the Link Show and Awe Society for over a decade and he has played just about every role there is to play.

One of his more memorably performances was "Herbie" in Paloma Mohammed's Anybody See Brenda where he played a straight guy pretending to be a homosexual. His roles in Kwesi Ojinga's Tengar and Rebellion also rank up there among the most memorable and strongest roles he has ever played.

Henry has been acting since age 13, and it was at the tender age of 15 that he began to secure lead roles in big plays. But it was not always so easy. For many years he played unimportant roles until he delivered a flawless performance as Papa George in Calabash Alley many years ago.

Though he has no favourite director he has worked for the best of them - Kwesi Ojinga, Mohammed, Ron Robinson, Earl Warner, Vivian Williams, Michael Duff and Ronald Hollingsworth.