CDS Forever Plaid moves to Harquail
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 January 1998.
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Until last October the answer was "My Fair Lady by far," according to CDS chairman Colin Wilson. Other acclaimed Broadway shows which did very well financially for the theatre group while delighting local audiences were Godspell and Camelot.
Then, for the 1997 season, someone suggested Forever Plaid.
Forever what? The name may not have been well known at first, but after the initial weekend of performances, word spread fast that this was a show to be seen - and heard. It succeeded on all levels: as a tribute to the music of the 1950s, as a showcase for both group harmony and individual talents; as a story of young people who dreamt that they, too, could become stars.
At the Prospect Playhouse Neil Rooney, Kevin Redfern, Jeff Bennett and Keith Nixon regularly received standing ovations for their songs, comedy and acting talent.
"The show was so successful we were sold out nearly every night," Colin recalled. "People kept asking, 'When are you going to bring it back?'"
The answer is a good news/bad news split. First, Forever Plaid is being staged at the Harquail Theatre next Thursday through Sunday, 5 - 8 February, starting at 7:30 each night. The bad news is that these really are the last performances: one member of the quartet is leaving the Island after the show closes.
"There are so many talented people in Cayman it's not that hard to find four good voices," Colin commented. "What is hard is finding four good voices that go well together, belonging to four guys who are willing to work together and able to handle a demanding script."
Penny Phillips, a former CDS chairman, veteran actress and current director, compared the local production to one that has been playing in Las Vegas for the past five years.
She and husband Peter have visited several times, she said, and always noticed the name Forever Plaid featured at the Flamingo Hotel. She was slightly curious, but there were other things to see and do. Then, while the show was running here, there was a free weekend. Penny and Peter travelled to Las Vegas and this time they did see the show there.
"When I came back I told the guys, 'There are a few things they do better than you, but overall you're much better. And our choreography is far and away superior," Penny critiqued.
Doing the show at the Harquail Theatre was a decision taken primarily to raise funds for repairs and expansion of the Prospect Playhouse, the drama society's home just east of George Town.
Colin explained that the structure's new roof still needed to be paid off. New plans call for an expanded bar area and additional storage for props and wardrobe. The audience area will stay the same.
While Forever Plaid is being brought back to satisfy popular demand, staging it at the Harquail Theatre was an economic decision. The Playhouse can accommodate 130 patrons at best, while the Harquail seats 330?.
Further, the location of the Harquail, off West Bay Road, makes it more convenient to visitors. "We do have a lot of 'walkin' tourists at the playhouse, but they go to a lot of trouble to find us," Penny offered.
She also made the point that performing at Cayman's "national theatre" as well as a private playhouse gives prestige to any production. The cast and crew can look back on their achievement with satisfaction long after it's over.
Satisfaction is also the keyword for audiences — those who anticipate seeing the show again after cheering it four months ago, plus those who will attend for the first time. Both can look forward to a memorable theatrical experience.
Tickets are $15. For further information call Omeria at Phillips Electrical, 949-5585.
