CDS earns accolades
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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 March 2004.
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Although he may not have said much when he collected the trophy on stage at the Harquail Theatre, Alan put his thoughts in writing for the programme of the Drama Society's current production.
Anyone who goes to see or who has seen Anne from knowing that we have accomplished our objective, whether it has been performing a role on stage, creating sets, props, costumes, makeup, sound, lighting and special effects or any one of the dozens of tasks which are an integral part of each production.
"The CNCF Award [for Artistic Excellence in Theatre] is therefore an honour which is a true recognition of the excellent work accomplished by thousands of people who have participated in one or more of the Cayman Drama Society's In continuing to promote live theatre, Alan hall, "it is essential that we continue to encourage future generations to appreciate the benefits to be gained from a better understanding of, and participation in, the dramatic arts. of Green Gables can read the CDS chairman's message. But it is well worth quoting at least part of it here. "As no members of the Society receive any payment for their services, our rewards are normally limited to the response of our audiences, positive feedback from members of the public, complimentary press reviews, and the personal satisfaction we all get productions over the past 30 years," Alan wrote.
The society's longevity is one factor cited by CNCF artistic director Henry Muttoo when he commented this week on the reason for the award.
"That they have managed to keep a group together and active for over 30 years is in itself significant," Henry said. "They do good quality work and have quite a number of productions each year."
In terms of culture and the arts, even though most of the work the Drama Society does is not local, it provides variety and opportunities that otherwise would not exist, Henry indicated.
"Anybody who is doing this work is deserving of an award," he stated.
Moreover, it is healthy for the country to have more than one theatre group, he asserted. There may at times be scheduling overlaps, he acknowledged, but these are not conflicts. For example, this weekend is the end of Anne of Green Gables at the Prospect Playhouse and the opening of Rundown at the Harquail Theatre.
"In a small society, you will never have a weekend without something clashing," Henry said. "Further, there are people who will go to one production and not the other, while those who want to see both have a number of performances to choose from.
"My feeling is the more that's happening in the arts, the better it is for the artistes. The more there is in the market, the more there will be for young people to see and then develop their own talents," Henry concluded.
The comment on youth is not made just for the sake of political correctness. It's a matter of reality.
Alan, in his CDS programme message, points out: "To promote live theatre in the Cayman islands for many years it is essential that we continue to encourage future generations to appreciate the benefits to be gained from a better ununderstanding of, and participation in, the dramatic arts."
He refers to a nascent CDS scheme to involve young people in producing, directing and performing in their own shows.
The current production of Anne of Green Gables is all the more satisfying because it includes "a large number of keen and talented youngsters working alongside a similar number of more experienced cast members in order to amuse and entertain".
