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The PEYC Variety Show was
the season smash hit and I am looking forward to least an honourable
mention at the upcoming Academy Awards ceremonies. Linda Austin's
theatrical production transformed the Yacht Club into an
off-Broadway stage of critical acclaim. The critics are raving at
the discovery of unknown talent that has been lurking in the shadows
of obscurity awaiting discovery. Playing to a sold out crowd Susan "Flutey"
Skuffham tooted out a resounding O Canada accompanied by the
productions musical director Dave "Willey" Dodd to start off the
evening.
The evening entertainment proceeded with a musical recorder melody
by Susan Skuffham accompanied by Dave Dodd. A Child's Christmas in
Wales was recited by Barry Atkins. Given that he speaks with some
foreign accent it was a nice added touch. The Calendar Girls set to
the song sung by Neil Sedaka brought back memories of the past as
the months of the year were brought to life by January: Gail Fox,
February: Colleen Kelly, March: Mary Lloyd, April: BJ Wilkins, May:
Deb Hedges, June: Gerry den Hartog, July: Cathy Crow, August: Susan
Skuffham, September: Susan Mathews, October: Gloria Vanson and Bob
Peat, November: Jill Dodd and December: Sandy Peat. Never have the
months of the year past before us so rapidly, yet leaving us
yearning for more. The Recitittal by John Della Bosca and Monty
Boultbee had the audience laughing in the aisles as they bantered
about the political correctness with the new rules for the Navy.
Just A Gigolo introduced a new hot dance duo destined to appear on
Dancing with the Stars as Gail “Penelope” Sharkey and Bill Newhouse
two-stepped around the stage. Albert and The Lion witnessed Jack
Strachan’s bellowing voice as he commanded the stage and told the
story of a little gaffer who poked a lion with a stick and got
eaten. Is there a moral here? Hocus and Pocus, alias Sue Mathews and
Roy Bergerson, entertained the audience with slight of hand and the
comical chatter of assistant Hocus as Pocus awaited clarification of
his magical array of astonishing stunts. Hocus and Pocus were
worthy of great marvel and applause gathered only by the greats like
Copperfield and other politicians. Group Embarrassment led by Dave
Dodd exposed the likes of those who like to play with string as in
guitars, banjos and other stringy musical things that I do not know
what they are. Dave introduced the troupe as direct from Austin City
Limits (that’s Austin, Ontario near Sudbury and Nashville near
Kleinberg, Ontario) as they belted out some John Prine tunes. Vocals
were supplied by our own county songbirds. Ms. Colleen Kelly, Lance
and Cathy Crow and Dave and Gloria Vanson sang some home grown
ballads that could only be known and understood by those with deep
county roots or those who have spent to much time at the bar and
have become sympathetic or too lazy to care about the past breeding
habits of our founding United Empire Loyalists.
INTERMISSION
The chaotic action in I’d
Rather Be by Deiter Heins, Horst and Joyce Berlin, Barbara Fairbairn
and Jim McMillan dates back many years to a skit from the old cruise
ships days in which the actions of one, which takes place after
reciting I’d Rather Be, puts the one standing beside them in
jeopardy. The resulting action reminds one of a Board meeting. The
Barrett’s Privateers, made famous by the late Stan Rogers, was
admirably performed by our own young swaggering pirates, the
original “M&M”: Mark Graham and Muren Pickering. Barry Atkinson once
again adorned the stage as he recited Mad Dogs and Englishmen whilst
strutting about the stage with the pomposity of a tall person. Brian
(not the dog) accompanied Giles (the dog) with an all time favourite
tune of Brian’s from Al Jolson’s Mammy. The act of all acts being
the closing act and, acting on a tip that Carol Charlesworth had
assembled the best of the best Karin Kain impersonators this side of
Black Creek, the audience stared in awe of these tippy toed
princesses as they pranced, executed pirouettes and floated around
the stage like butterflies. Garry Eames, Bob Nicoll, Bill Newhouse,
Henry Pasila, Bobby Peat and Bruce (Brute) Tonkin brought the house
down.
THANK YOU
The Behind the
Scenes Gang :Tonny & Rob Dickomeit
(planning, set builders & stagehands); Carole Charlesworth, Doreen
Hunt, Linda Den Boer & Jack Strachan (planning); Trish Nicoll
(planning & dinner coordinator); Kevin Simmons (planning & equipment
coord); Doug Trumble (planning & emcee); Linda Austin (producer).
Also to:
Aaron Miller, Sean Morton & Tyrone Vanson
(curtain handlers); George Hunt (dressing room facilities); Cathy
Crow & Doreen Hunt (costume & makeup); John Coull & Gord Fox (videography);
Caitlin den Boer & Vince Martel (photography); Creighton Crawley &
Bob Nicoll (stage); Dave Dodd (sound equipment); Regent Theatre
(backdrops & props); Sue Skuffham (table décor); Bev Gorsline and
Doug & Evelyn Sloan (kitchen/serving); and Dennis Payne & Garry
Eames (general club facilities).
And to you the audience, who made it all worth while.
ELVIS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING
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PRINCE EDWARD YACHT CLUB
