CDS Music Hall
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 June 1997.
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have retained their popularity because they are always reassuringly the same and refreshingly different. Anyone seeking a comfortable evening's entertainment can count on a music hall format to include well-known ditties from pre-World Wars I and II, some corny jokes occasionally delivered with fresh nuance, a monologue or two, novelty acts and, of course, the requisite singalong. The Cayman Drama Society has gathered an assortment of performers with a variety of specialties for its latest version of Old Tyme Music Hall, which opened last weekend and continues tonight and tomorrow, with final performances next Wednesday through Saturday.
Alan Hewitt is not only the master of ceremonies, he's "Champagne Charlie" and "Burlington Bertie from Bow".
Vocalists include Anita Wheaton with "It's All Right in the Summertime" and "Alice-Blue Gown". Gabrielle Wheaton offers "I Was a Good Little Girl Till I Met You" and another item with a less happy ending. Unfortunately these two do not sing any duets. The programme could have been lifted by some harmony.
The featured male vocalist is Jeff Bennett, a "Yank" who shows his roots with "Waiting for the Robert E. Lee" followed by "Let Me Call You Sweetheart".
Between the male and the female is "Peach Blossom" who introduces "Fanlight Fanny, the Frowzy Nightclub Queen". His/her second item is a 1920 number which might be better rendered in the style of that era rather than a 1960s Marilyn Monroe version with its distressingimplications.
Roger Carne contributes one of his cerebral monologues. Neville Smith and Fiona Moseley join forces to tell the story of "Young Albert and the Lion".
Linda Rayner provides the dance numbers with a lively Charleston followed by an even more vivacious continued on A4 cancan. In the novelty category, George Ebanks' costume is as entertaining as his song. Rounding out the agenda are two amazing magic tricks by the amazing "Mystico" with his young apprentice John and the lovely lady who gets sawn in half, Nikki Moore.
Most of the performers are accompanied by Jeff Parker on drums, Kate Moore and/or Chris Bowring on piano. The musicians also pace a nostalgic medley for audience participation. Chris and Kate perform a lively duet. Showtime is 7:30 pm, but the doors to the music hall at Prospect Playhouse should be open before 7:00 pm.
