New 'Beauty' for CDS production

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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 February 1997.

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Actress Joanne Diaz Berry, who has been playing the role of Beauty in the Cayman Drama Society's production of "Beauty and the Beast" (currently playing at The Prospect Playhouse) was forced to leave the play last Thursday to be with her mother in Tampa, Fla, who was taken ill. As a result, last Thursday and last Friday's performances had to be cancelled cancelled.

In true theatrical tradition, the show must go on, however, and with just two days to learn the role, which includes dancing and singing two solos, 25-year-old Ms Erica Kees played Beauty at last Saturday's performance. What was even more remarkable was that Erica had only joined the production a week ago to work backstage, and had never executed any role for the Drama Society.

On Saturday evening, she performed without a script, and although a prompt was at hand, it was not used. At the performance's end, Ms Kees received a standing ovation. Mr. Colin Wilson, the Director for Beauty and the Beast, said her feat was "outstanding. No one but myself and producer Anita Smith thought she could do it, but even I was surprised at her confidence and immediate feel for the part."

Ms Kees will continue to perform the role, as it is uncertain when Ms Berry will be able to return to the Island, according to a press release from the Drama Society.