'Belinda' Could Be Best Yet From CDS
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 December 1973.
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The drama is set in Prince Edward Island in Canada. Nick Press again is cast in the role of a bad guy, playing the part of a villain-rapist. As soon as he appears on stage, you know there is trouble brewing. He is a bully who gets his just reward in the end. Newcomer to the SocietyJack Dredge plays Dr. Jack Davidson, the man responsible for changing the life of Belinda. He is the hero of the drama, by showing that the "dummy", as Belinda is cruelly called, is really a human being with feelings, emotions and thoughts of her own.
Another exceptional performance was turned in by Glenys James. Her role does not appear important in the beginning. But she provides a strong scene when the truth is finally revealed! and she realises she is the wife of a rapist.
Gale Shaw is unforgettable in her role as an aged woman. Her voice, walk and expressions were great. At first she appears to be a woman with no heart and a life full of work, but when Belinda is in trouble, she does a beautiful job of acting the grandmotherly type. She will be remembered.
Peter Hay, playing Jimmy Dingwell, is the quietest of the cast but showing a great potential for acting. He is the soothing character in the play and is neither for or against any of the other actors. He was the "sit back and listen" type. The two village do-gooders, who were always up to no good, were Judy Dredge and Evelyn Andresen. To them, Belinda was an animal and not fit to bring up a child. Boo, hiss to these two gossipers and kudos for the beautiful performances!
Keith Ball did a good job, but I only saw Keith as Keith. He is a preacher and, as always, puts his heart and soul into portraying a character. He was torn between the do-gooders and his own feelings on the matter of the baby. He acted the part of an older man whose word was well respected. The audience, not as large as it could be, should feel that a lot of work and thought has gone into "Johnny Belinda" and the author of the play, Elmer Harris, would be proud to see his creation in the hands of the Cayman Drama Society.
