It'll be alri
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 October 1990.
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October 21, 1970, marked the forming of the Society and the beginning of the dream. The main objective of the founders was to build a theatre of it's own, but funds stood in the way.
So it came that the main focus for the 1970's was to raise the money. Many productions were staged at the George Town Town Hall specifically for this goal. Towards the end of the decade, CDS was offered a piece of land adjacent to the Cayman Racquet Club. Enthusiasm rose in the Society, marl was bought to fill the area and plans were drawn. However, for a number of reasons, work came to a halt. The Police Social Club is situated there now.
But, Lady Luck touched them one more time and the Society was offered a lease - at "peppercorn rent," according to Penny Phillips, secretary of the executive committee - for some land at the Cayman Foods property in Prospect.
In 1981 funds that had already been collected, around CI$45,000, were used to begin construction. The foundation and a steel frame and roof were installed. then the money ran out. A serious fund raising campaign was decided on, but the creation of the Inn Theatre workshop provided unexpected competition. Year after year the problem of funding was talked over by each new committee.
Staging plays was becoming more difficult to arrange. Being an amateur club means that productions have to fit into an already busy work schedule for most people.
Also, places to perform were hard to find. Rooms above the Lord Nelson Pub were renovated into a makeshift dinner theatre for the Society's Two Plus Food productions.
In 1989, a subcommittee was formed to look into the feasibility of finishing the construction of their own theatre. The group, headed by Penny Phillips, consisted of members who had experience in the building trade in one way or another.
They examined every angle of the problem and the conclusion was that, with work on the structure in phrases, the building could probably be closed in and air conditioned for around CI$55,000.
Although "rough and ready" the theatre could provide a place where CDS could build scenery and rehearse prior to performances in the Harquail. A report was presented to the Society at the Annual General Meeting last December, and members voted unanimously to approve borrowing of funds needed. However, after the meeting, Santa appeared in the form of Jack and Evelyn Andresen who donated US$55,000 to CDS to complete the structure.
As construction started once again and the building was cleared of the bush that had become overgrown, it was realised that they wanted to do more than just enclose the existing frame. They wanted to build something that could be improved over the years, said Penny Phillips. So, costs were minimised in order for an actual "little theatre" to built, rather than just a workshop, she continued.
At last completion is very close, and the theatre is on schedule for the opening on 20 October, said Peter Phillips Chairman of the building sub-committee.
The new Cayman Drama Society home, was built almost totally by volunteer CDS members, with some paid specialist help.
The Prospect Playhouse, as it has been named, boasts a 50ft by 30ft stage and a 26ft by 34ft auditorium, smaller than the Harquail Theatre but ample for the CDS needs. Two bars have been constructed, one downstairs for the guests, and one upstairs for the actors which has affectionately been called "Act One, Scene One."
Two dressings rooms and a green room (where actors rest in between their scenes) give both good lighting and facilities, and are comfortable. In the near fu[ture]. ture the green room may be split to provide a family room where children can be kept occupied while their parents are enjoying the show.
At the moment the lighting and sound equipment is on loan from Phillips Electrical, apart from the speakers which are owned by CDS. The Sound Room is on the second floor at the rear of the auditorium.
On the left hand side of the stage (from the actors point of view) is the Stage Managers desk. It is cut into the wall to avoid blocking entrances. The desk is also equipped with a microphone so that the Stage Manager can make all announcements to the audience or to the actors. (For example, "two minutes to curtain, ladies and gentlemen. Two minutes to curtain.")
The stage itself is set on styrofoam to add a spring to the floor and cut down on noise as actors walk up and down. Around the auditorium the walls are lined with sound board to improve the acoustics.
For efficiency and to cut costs, air conditioning was installed in separate units, one on the stage, one for the auditorium, dressing rooms, green room, bars, sound room, etc. This means that if a group is rehearsing they only need to switch on the unit servicing the stage. It will keep that part of the building cool and is less expensive than cooling the entire theatre for one rehearsal. Mr. Peter Phillips said that the Society received much help from companies throughout Cayman with costs and donations. Cayman Refrigeration and Unit Construction he thanked especially for their support.
He added that without CDS members like Mr. Tony Rowlands, who works at the Public Works Department, the dream may never have become a reality.
But, as they say in the theatre world "It'll be alright on the night." And that night is 20 October when invited guests will have their first peak of the Prospect Playhouse.
Five days later is the Gala performance of the Pirate Princess which has been produced for Pirates Week. The show will run 25 October to 2 November and will go down in Cayman Drama Society history as being the first production in their new home.
