The Masque Theatre celebrates 65 years of onstage magic. SHEILA CHISHOLM joined the merrymakers:
On Saturday evening, as past, present and future Masque Theatre patrons, walked onto the red carpet into the theatre’s foyer, everyone immediately sensed Bertie Stern’s spirit hovering around. Stern seemed tuned into everyone’s chatter, accepting of their genuine gratitude for his generosity with the humility that marked the man’s personality.
For those whose memory has perhaps faded, in 1957 Bertie Stern purchased a building, to be used as a community theatre. After completing necessary renovations, in 1959, he handed the Masque Theatre over into a Trust for multi-racial amateur theatre shows.
Opening the theatre to all races was, in 1959, a political hot potato. But, according to Trustee Yvonne Copley in her welcoming speech, Stern won the battle, and the Masque has never stopped practicing that policy.
The road to Saturday’s 65th celebration has not been plain sailing. “Far from it,” said Chairman Daniel Enticott. “We have presented countless shows – from pantomimes to ballets. From Shakespeare to Oscar Wilde. From Agatha Christie to Willy Russell – and everything in-between. Working in theatre is a continuous merry-go-round. We are always up against last minute problems. Yet, somehow we overcome those to come up smiling as the curtain ‘went up’.”
He continued: “The 1997 fire, the 2019 Covid pandemic and our recent heavy winter rains, have given us the worst of headaches. And we have continuous jobs to complete. So tonight’s 65th birthday is not only a celebration of Bertie Stern’s gift to Community Theatre, it is also a fund-raising effort to kick off our most urgent repairs. Now let’s open the curtains and get on with the show!”
Slick items
The show ran non-stop through 13 slick items with Hannah Molyneux, KimR2, Wayne Ronné and Kerith Coulson acting as MCs.
First up were two singers from Ruskin Road group rendering I’ve had the time of my life. A witty comic turn between Enticott and Ronné fighting about Who’s on First was followed by an energetic duet by the Barres Dance Studio. In other well-rehearsed contemporary and acrobatic styles their performances received loud whistles and cheers. As did the Ruskin Road Quartet and Guests.
I particularly enjoyed Christine Swanepoel and Roux Nel’s Gwendoline and Cecily’s elegant tea scene from the Importance of Being Ernest, as well as Sophia from the American Golden Girls sit-com. Rob Coutts, Sipumziwe ‘Pags” Lucwaba and Bill Russel put up a good effort in their Third Wheel Improvisations. Einstein and his E=mc2 made an appearance as did Interlace Live with their electric guitarists and percussionist playing Rocky Balboa.
Keep the flag flying
Lighting effects against the cyclorama, mirror ball, strobe lighting brought a glimpse into future shows.
However, as a celebration of the past 65 years I’d have enjoyed more skits from previous popular productions. As one former thespian pertinently asked: “Where were those giants on whose shoulders we stood? Lets not forget them. The past is always an important part of our future.”
May forthcoming productions, prove to be as illustrious as those before them. Best of best wishes to all concerned who’ll keep Bertie Stern’s Masque Theatre’s flag flying.
WS
