New talent for old classic
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 April 1996.
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The play has certainly been seen by millions - either on the Broadway stage or around the various touring circuits or in the movie that followed seven years later.
Now Camelot can be seen in Cayman, thanks to the ambition of director Alan Hall and a total of some 50 actors, musicians and crew members who have been working the last six weeks for a run that starts next Thursday.
Alan harboured a not-so-secret desire to do Camelot "for years. I wanted to be Arthur," he confessed during a recent rehearsal.
He was referring, of course, to the legendary King Arthur, who strove to establish the highest ideals of civilisation through his Knights of the Round Table. His story, as detailed in Camelot, intrigues every generation because it is not the typical conflict between good and evil. Rather, it is conflict between good and good. Arthur loves his wife, Queen Guenevere, more than any woman in the world. He loves the warrior Lancelot as he would a friend, brother and son.
Arthur is hurt by Guenevere's initial disdain of Lancelot. But as their relationship changes, Arthur's pain becomes torture; not only his marriage, but his very kingdom is threatened. This basic love triangle develops against a backdrop of politics and pageantry.
It's easy to see why the stage production and movie were attractive vehicles for such performers as Richard Burton, Richard Harris, Roddy McDowall, Julie Andrews, Vanessa Redgrave. The story alone - which, by the way, was taken from T. H. White's novel, The Once and Future King, - has been told again just recently in the film First Knight, starring Sean Connery, Richard Gere and Julia Ormond.
The original play features melodies by Frederick Loewe, lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner. The combination produced memorable songs. "If Ever I Would Leave You" became the anthem by which Robert Goulet was identified for the next 20 years. Chris Connor recorded a sultry "Follow Me" and thousands of fans purchased her albums as a result.
Other songs which linger in the listener's mind include "I Wonder What the King is Doing Tonight"; "The Simple Joys of Maidenhood"; "C'est Moi"; "The Lusty Month of May"; "How to Handle a Woman"; "I Loved You Once in Silence".
Clearly this is not a play the average theatre group would be willing to undertake. The Cayman Drama Society, however, is not any ordinary theatre group. With a base membership of long-time residents, CDS attracts newcomers as well. Since a significant portion of the local workforce is on one- or two-year work permits, the star of the next production could literally be arriving on a flight tomorrow.
In fact, that pretty much reflects the position Alan Hall had found himself in with Camelot. "I could never find anyone to direct it, so I decided to direct it myself. self," he related. He contemplated directing and playing the role of Arthur, but he had criticised others for trying to do both. "I decided to stick with my ideals and just direct," Alan said.
Having committed himself and recruited the capable Katie Moore as musical director, Alan held auditions in February and cast all the parts but two: Lancelot and Arthur.
Just when he was beginning to think he had a problem, two men were recommended to him. Coincidentally, each had arrived on the Island in November. Contact was made, they came along to audition for him and Katie, and "I immediately asked them to take the roles," Alan reported.
These latest additions to the cast are Neil Rooney as Arthur and Kevin Redfern as Lancelot. Although this is their first appearance on the Cayman stage, each brings a wealth of performing experience.
Neil had his own band and sang professionally in the Calgary-Edmonton area. Born in England, raised in Canada. Continued on facing page da, he worked in Cayman several years ago, returning as general manager for Crow's Nest Restaurant. Kevin, who is from British Columbia, has done shows with the Victoria Operatic Society, most recently Kiss Me, Kate. One treasured performance for him was singing at the opening ceremonies of the 1988 Olympics in Calgary. Kevin is a dive instructor at Indies Suites.
One reason Alan didn't give up when he was without his leading men was his leading lady, Wendy Moore. Wendy (nee Daykin) debuted on the local stage while still a teenager, first singing and dancing in South Pacific, then winning the Miss Cayman Islands title with talent and poise even though she was just 18. Since then she has been in numerous CDS pantomimes, played the role of Adelaide in Guys and Dolls at the old Inn Theatre and was Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady.
The names of many other cast members will be readily recognised by theatre devotees. "We have a good group of people. A lot of them are old hands and there's a lot of talent among them," declared director Alan.
The results of all their labours can be seen at the Prospect Playhouse starting next week. Tickets may be booked through Phillips Electrical Ltd., 949-5585.
