Two hectic days to “South Pacific”

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This is a digitised version of an article from The Cayman Compass's print archive. Occasionally, the digitisation process introduces transcription errors, or other problems.

See the article in its original context from January 1978.

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It is always gratifying to see young people participating in the societies' productions. With only two days to opening night, preparations for the Cayman Singers and Cayman Drama Society's production of SOUTH PACIFIC are reaching fever pitch. A thousand jobs still remain to be done. This past weekend saw production crew and preformers sawing, nailing, painting, heaving, pushing and rushing around in general. Not only has the stage been transformed into a lush tropical setting by the very talented designs of Margaret Barwick and the physical efforts of Carl Studt and many helpers, but the inside of the Town Hall itself now resembles a Polynesian hut. In these exotic surroundings, Front of House Manager Reg Reese has one of the most envied jobs, - he is in charge of the bevy of saronged beauties who are acting as usherettes.

Ken Pooley, who is in charge of the very complicated lighting for the show, assisted by Carol Winker, has a young Caymanian high school lad also helping him. Kurt Anderson. The Cayman Drama Society and the Cayman Singers, joint producers of the show, are very glad to have Kurt along, and say they would like to see more young people assisting in their shows and "learning the business". Another high school student in the show is dancer Rosalie Lawrence, and her sister Chamaine, together with Wendy Daykin, Linda McPeak and Theresa Lewis who left school only last year. Needless to say, performing under lights at the Town Hall is a warm business, even in January. Consequently the cast can be seen nightly, lugging their costumes home to be washed. There are only three bachelors in the cast who have to cope.

Terry Murphy, Ken Clowes and John Gunter. Fortunately Terry has his mother visiting from Kent at this time, and has doubtless got her organised in this direction. Any offers of assistance for Clowes and Gunter?' The script calls for a bracelet made out of a single boar's tooth. apparently one of the most valuable souvenirs in the Pacific. We are actually offered a genuine one by Pat Heath, who got it when she was in the South Pacific islands. However, as the bracelet is somewhat roughly used in the show it was decided to use a plastic one instead. Thanks anyway, Rot. Leading Lady Anita Wheaton has the role that is always associated with Mary Martin, who played it on Broadway and in London. In her last appearance on the Cayman stage Anita played Madam Dubonnet in The Boy Friend. That character, a sophisticated French Woman is a far cry from Ensign Nellie Forbush, - a small town American girl who is, in the words of one of her songs, “a cockeyed optimist”. Proving that opposites do attract, her Rarely has so much excitement and enthusiasm been generated by a local production, and advance ticket sales have been the best ever in the history of the CDS and CS shows.

Box Office Manager Joan Austin is one of SOUTH PACIFIC's most ardent admirers - she has seen the film five times and the London stage show eight times' "It's my favourite "show" she understated. Well, Joan will have the opportunity to see it eleven more times, - January 19, 20, 21 and 25, 26, 27. 28. and February 1, 2, 3 and 4 at 7.30 in the evening.

SOUTH PACIFIC will undoubtedly justify the tremendous anticipation that has been aroused, and it will be a tribute not only to the dozens of people directly involved, but to all those husbands and wives who have stayed home while their opposite halves have been working on the show.