An amusing comedy trio entertains
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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 August 1991.
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A nervous young man Ivan, played by Peter Cook, calls upon his neighbour Stepan, played by John Gaylor, to ask for his daughter's hand in marriage because he is too afraid to ask her himself. His nervousness and his hypochondria lead him into many complications before his reason for coming is known.
Russian playwright Anton Chekhov, who wrote 'A Marriage Proposal', was the author of 'The Bear' (a joke in one act), which Alan Hall also directed. Peter O'Sullivan played the part of Luka the servant of Elena Ivanova Popova (Maureen Parker), a widow, and Peter Riley played the part of Grigory Stepanovitch Smirnov, a landowner. Grigory comes to collect some money from Elena who is in mourning for her late husband. The play shows the attitude of both towards the servant and Grigory's attitude towards women. The end of the play proved to be enjoyable enough for the audience, although not as funny as the other offering.
To separate the two Russian plays there was 'Red Carnations', an American comedy which was written by Glenn Hughes and directed by Samantha de Freitas. It was written in the 1920s when Rudolph Valentino was a strong influence. Paul de Freitas played the part of the elder Mr. Smith, while Ward Scott played the part of the younger Mr. Smith.
The play begins with both men meeting at the park where they are both awaiting the arrival of girls they met at a masked ball. They find out they have something in common. Both were told to wear 'Red Carnations', they both were dressed as sheiks at the ball and both of the girls were dressed as the Queen of Sheba. When the girl (Emma Graham-Taylor) arrives and they are not sure whose girl it is, the younger Mr. Smith talks up to the girl and they realise that it was the elder Mr. Smith she was to meet.
There is a surprise ending that had all the audience laughing when they realised they, themselves, were tricked by the plot.
Mr. Paul de Freitas, the producer of the plays, said after the show, "Prospect Playhouse needs props for the plays so as to help our budget and we would appreciate it if anyone has anything to donate, no matter what condition it is in, as long as it can be used as part of a play". He continued to say that public participation and help is welcome.
Not many Caymanians attended the play.
Mr. de Freitas said the play, 'Fawlty Towers', will open on 13 September and continue for three weeks. The play was re-written by Colin Wilson who works with JEC Building Consultants. Fawlty Towers is very popular in England and the US.
Mr. de Freitas also said that the Drama Society plans to run plays for the rest of the year for three weeks in each month and hopes to continue performances after this.
Dinner Theatre, featuring 'A Romantic Triangle', continues through tonight and 31 August at the Prospect Playhouse at the price of $25.00 per person. All shows begin at 7.30pm. Tickets are available at Cayman Computing Limited, telephone 98382.
