Magna Carta world premier next week
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 March 2003.
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A preview of the show is on Thursday, 27 March. The musical, which has a cast of over 50 people, was written by Caymanian playwright Colin Wilson and published by New Theatre Publications of London.
A press release from the Cayman Drama Society (CDS), which is putting on the show at the Prospect Playhouse from 27 March to 4 May, said a founder of New Theatre Publications, Ian Hornby, will be in Cayman for next Friday's world premier.
Mr. Hornby will be joining Cayman Islands' Governor, Mr. Bruce Dinwiddy, and his wife Emma at Friday's performance where a champagne reception is planned, the release said. "Magna Carta: The Musical Trial of King John", as it is fully called, was co-written by Texan Dody Denman, said the release, and all music in the show was composed and written by Chuck and Barrie Quappe. Song, dance, dress
A six-piece live band accompanies twenty musical numbers in the play, including ten dances.
Children in the dances have been rehearsing since last September, added the release, lead by choreographer Kim Marsh. Music in The Magna Carta musical is modern with a "rock/blues" feel, said the release. A CD of the music is available from The Music Box, Phillips Electrical, the Quincentennial Shop, and CITN.
Costume designer Violetta Kanarek designed and made over one hundred costumes for the play, and stage manager Peter Phillips designed the lighting and set pieces.
"There are more lights and special effects in Magna Carta than any show I have ever been involved in," Mr. Phillips said. "The audiences are going to be amazed." Additionally, the release declares, "This is the most lavish and spectacular production the Cayman Drama Society has ever. staged and one of the largest ever-staged shows for the Cayman Islands." What is Magna Carta?
The release explains that the Magna Carta was the world's first "Bill of Rights" on which British, American, and Caymanian law is based. The CDS promises, however, that the show is not a "long and boring history lesson" but rather a fast paced, dramatic show full of plots, intrigue, treachery and "dastardly deeds". All the events portrayed actually happened and the characters all lived, said the release.
Baronial Feast
As part of the Quincentennial Celebrations, the release said a Baronial Feast is being staged, also at the Prospect Playhouse, on Friday and Saturday 4-5 of April. The feast comprises, venison, suckling roast pig, salads, wine, draft beer, cider and Olde English Mead.
Attendees are encouraged to dress in period costume and a prize is being given to the best-dressed person. Actors
Some of the main characters in the show are played by Martin Tedd as King John; Cynthia Arie as Isabella of Gloucester; Vanessa Hansen as Lady Merle/Elizabeth de Staynton; Olivia Scott as Princess Joan; Peter Kosa as William Marshal; and Teri Quappe as Isabella of Angouleme. Performances
Performances at the Prospect Playhouse are Thursdays through Sundays starting at 7:30pm each night.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children, except for the preview night on 27 March when tickets are just $10 for adults and $5 for children.
Tickets for the world premier on 28 March are $30 for adults and $25 for children, including a champagne reception and food. Tickets for the Baronial Feast are $75.
All tickets are available from Phillips Electrical, the Quincentennial Shop, and CITN.
