CDS offers every kind of contrast
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 September 1997.
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For the CDS season finale, director Colin Wilson has chosen Beauty for Sale, written in 1935 as a period piece reflecting 1860s London. Director Penny Phillips has selected Last Tango in Grand Cayman, a contemporary comedy written in a style meant to be adapted for any amateur drama group anywhere, anytime.
Beauty has a well appointed set and some gorgeous costumes; Last Tango has the look of no set at all and anything goes for apparel. All six characters in Beauty are women. The plot starts plausibly enough with one of them wanting to look more attractive for her presentation before the Queen. It's a frivolous but reasonable wish which soon opens the door to all sorts of sinister elements. In fact, it's quite surprising how much wickedness is covered. uncovered in so short a work.
Last Tango features two men and two women as the last members of an amateur drama society in its last gasps. This comedy is not concerned with right and wrong, good versus evil: it's whatever will work to keep the group going.
At dress rehearsal last week, the foursome was fresh, funny and seemingly spontaneous. Those were believable people on stage, even though their characters had obviously been given lines to incorporate so many of the stereotypes associated with theatre.
At the same rehearsal, the cast of Beauty was slightly handicapped by the absence through illness of the actress playing Madam Geraldine, the beauty salon's proprietress and the play's central character. But director Colin read her lines with a combination of menace and treacle that helped less experienced players bare their souls at just the right pace.
A cameo appearance by Penny Phillips carves the moral of the story on one's consciousness like a diamond on glass.
As noted previously, the one-acts feature some relatively new talents (Caymanian Com-Cont'd on page A9 from page A8 pass, 29 August).
Malcolm Ellis, Susan Howe, Jennifer Ahearn and Martin Tedd are making their CDS debut, while Debbie Seymour and Nikki Moore are cut. ting their teeth on dramatic roles after getting a taste of the limelight in musical productions.
The evening is billed as Two Plus Dinner, reference to the popular format of good food in a friendly atmosphere between the plays. "Show only" tickets may be obtained at any time, but reservations 24 hours in advance are essential for dinner. With or without the meal, the Cayman Drama Society's season closer will give theatre fans something to talk about at least until the next season opens.
Performances continue tonight and tomorrow night, as well as next Friday and Saturday. All shows start at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $25 per person for dinner; $12.50 adults and $8.00 children for show only. Call Omeria at 949-5585 for menu details, reservations and further information.
