Professional theatre is near
About the article
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 March 1981.
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Times have changed, however, and a cultural boom has occurred, thanks primarily to two theater companies.
Whether it's intense West Indian drama or slapstick British farce, Cayman theater offers something for everyone, tourist and resident alike.
"We're a small, but extraordinarily diverse community in Cayman," says Geoff Cresswell, director of the Inn Theatre of the Royal Balms Hotel. "We can tap our own cultural diversity and come up with a splendid, professional array of international talent right here on the island."
And, the Cayman Drama Society which performs in the George Town hall (and is currently building its own theatrical facility), is the product of Cayman's substantial British population. The British Crown Colony gives expression to such varied aspects of British culture as racquet clubs, garden societies, yacht clubs, and rugby teams; but nowhere is the jolly nature of the "Brits" so evident as in one of the Drama Society's farces.
"A farce isn't meant to be high drama, nor is it particularly edifying in any artistic sense," says Mike Parker, British-born director of many of the Drama Society's farcical productions. "What it is meant to be is a jolly good time with lots of basically silly humor."
The object of a Cayman Drama Society faree is to leave its audience doubledover in laughter; and, more often than not, they succeed. In the spirit of good drama, there is no sense of competition between the two companies. Frequently, Inn Theatre regulars will be cast into parts at the Drama Society and vice-versa.
In fact, Inn Theatre Director Cresswell is a regular actor in Drama Society productions. Technical equipment is shared and costumes are regularly pedalled across town. All posts at the companies are voluntary with the exception of the business manager at the Inn Theatre.
With visitors and residents flocking to the performances, more and more islanders are getting involved.
"We are looking down the road to a full-time, professional Caymanian theatre company," said Mr. Cresswell, "and within a few years we should reach that goal."
While there aren't any casinos and not many nightclubs, evenings in Grand Cayman are quiet, it's true. But with the groundswell of theater, visitors are discovering after the sun sets over Seven Mile Beach local theater is a unique experience adding immeasurable to a pleasurable, peaceful vacation in Cayman.
