Pirate Princess at Prospect
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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The story line is based upon the real-life tale of Mary Read and Ann Bonny who sailed on Captain John "Calico Jack" Rackham's ship. In 1726 the boat was captured off the west coast of Jamaica and Mary Read and Ann Bonny were discovered to be women, but not until they had been sentenced to death for piracy.
Dramatist Barbara Gloudon wrote the script and Conroy Cooper set it to music, to produce a light-hearted adaption of a rather gruesome legend. In Pirate Princess the notorious Captain Rackham attempts to capture Cayman, however his raid seems doomed as the islanders, led by entreprenuer Seaside Harry, plan to thwart the pirates by enticing them with Harry's lethal Science Punch. In Jamaica the play became one of the most successful in a series of National Pantomimes produced by the Little Theatre Movement. Pirate Princess was then performed by the Temba Theatre Company in London's West End.
In Cayman, the amateur theatre group Cayman Drama Society has brought the same professional quality they show in all their productions. Utilising some of the most talented thespians on the island the production is a delight to all. The Gala Performance was held on Thursday 25 October. The audience included the Governor and Mrs. Alan Scott, plus many distinguished guests to the island.
The curtains opened onto a scene aboard Rackham's Pirate ship. Blue sea shimmered from the backdrop and the deck of the boat was enclosed by the wooden sides. On the left Captain Rackham stood proudly upon a raised stage which represented the roof of the cabin.
After a brief but harmonious song, an Old Pirate takes to the front of the stage and begins the story. Played by Roland Stacey, the Old Pirate is nothing short of brilliant. He addresses the audience briefly throughout the production and each time his rhyming narration and graphic expressions are unforgettable.
Paul de Freitas as Captain Rackham uses his flair for acting to bring a character that the whole audience can love and hate. As the villain he's "the meanest, the baddest, the dreadest pirate of the Caribbean sea," but not without a sense of humour.
William is a nonsense character whose background is a mystery to be revealed later in the production. Peter O'Sullivan, who is remembered for his performance as Wishy Washy in "Aladdin", plays the part well, but at times he seemed conscious of the audience. Perhaps it was just opening night nerves.
Margaret Rossiter is a newcomer to the Cayman Drama Society, however she has gained experience in drama and musical societies she has worked with in Ireland. In Pirate Princess she brings Pirate Mary Read back to life excellently, and her singing voice is good too. Pirate Ann Bonny is a lovely, and seemingly innocent character who, presumably, would fit into life much better if she lived with a husband and 2.3 children in a house surrounded by a white picket fence. However she's a pirate and does her best to survive the dangers of life on the sea.
Catriona Johnstone plays the part very well, however her voice was quiet due to a sore throat that flared up at the unfortunate time of just before the opening night.
A definite favourite with the audience was Leroy Holness as Seaside Harry, partially Seaside Harry unknown tain Rackham disguise because he represented the good-guys and partially because of his performance was outstanding. Other applause-deserving characters were the Old Caymanian Lady, superbly performed by Freda Bettany, and the Police Sergeant, played by Errol McLaughlin. The set designs were effective, especially scene six of act two - on the seabed. When the curtains opened showing the green lit stage covered with seaweed and boasting a large photograph of an underwater scene and the Sea King (played by Peter Riley) seated on the left, the audience at the Gala Performance showed their admiration. nowingly chats up Caped as a woman.
tion with applause. However, the production fell down on one point. The set changes in between scenes took some time, which made the production draw out longer than need be. This is a problem that improves with practice so in up-coming performances it should be rectified.
On the whole the Pirate Princess is a play that the whole family can enjoy, and it shouldn't be missed. Performances at the Prospect Playhouse are continuing tonight through Friday 2 November. Tickets, at $10 adults and $5 children, can be obtained from the Pirates Week Office, Philips Electrical, or at the box office at the theatre on the night.
