Drama Society: 'Somewhere to call home would be nice...'
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 December 1987.
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While real-life drama surrounds the goings-on at the modern, well-equipped Harquail Theatre, all the Cayman Drama Society have to call their own are the foundations, pipework and canopy roof of the theatre they began building five years ago.
Chairman, Tony Osborn highlighted the fact in his speech at the annual dinner of the society, which recently celebrated its 17th birthday. "Somewhere to stage productions always is a problem. Somewhere to call home would be very nice," he admitted. Mr. Osborn told 50 members and guests, Governor Alan Scott and his wife, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel dinner that in 1984 the society reviewed the theatre work at Prospect and learned that to complete the project, a further $180,000 was needed. "Unfortunately this figure proved to be far out of reach as most potential donors regarded the multi-million dollar Harquail project as being sufficient.
They considered any capital expenditure on a smaller, 120 seat structure inappropriate," he said. Mr. Osborn said during the period it was suggested several times that the society merge its membership and its assets with those of the Cayman National Theatre Company in exchange for special privileges in the Harq. uail Theatre.
"We felt great anxiety over the likely running costs of such a large theatre and declined these invitations. Also we felt that the purely amateur philosophy of our group would mix poorly with the semi-professional approach of the CNTC," said Mr. Osborn. "Many of the concerns we expressed during the merger talks have been realised," he added. Mr. Osborn said "The CDS remains independent in policy and in activity if not in location."
He said nowadays a mid to major production had to be staged at the Harquail or the Loyola Hall. The former was not available for Sleeping Beauty in January although they had been promised the use of the separate workshop with a new bank of seats over the main entrance way.
After reviewing the activities of the year, including productions of I Spy, Move over Mrs Markham and Girl in a Wheelchair, Mr. Osborn pointed to what was probably their proudest achievement in that time the forming of a trust fund to encourage young talent.
With the Cayman International Trust Company as the corporate trustee, they had formed the trust fund for the education and professional training in theatre skills of young Caymanians.
He said CDS had pledged all the proceeds of the 1987 productions and this had produced $4,000 to start the new fund.
"We see the raw material of such talent in the High School now and we wish it to be known that we care very much that it continue. For the ability that has been displayed in recent productions to wither for want of interest and funds would be a dreadful loss to the community," Mr. Osborn said. He outlined the forthcoming events which included a production of Fiddler on the Roof in May, in conjunction with the Music Club.
Mr. Osborn pointed out the fact that in their 17 year history, the society had mounted at least two, and sometimes as many as four shows each year.
