Review: BMDS Offers Unique Play Format
[Written by Dale Butler]
The Bermuda Musical & Dramatic Society [BMDS] took on the daunting task of shifting gears from adult actors to students to deliver six ten minute plays “written, rehearsed and performed in only 24 hours.” Unbelievable.
Playwriting itself is not easy and learning lines when you have weeks to do so can still be a challenge and often drives directors crazy. To do all of this required that the BMDS pull out all stops with its lighting and sound team, directors and mentors/chaperones. They did and added a horse mask that had to be used in each of the six plays.
I’m not finished: the opening and closing line are given, but not the same. Remember six writers, 23 actors who were pulled out of a hat, 12 hours to write six plays, 12 hours to rehearse and direct them. A complicated drama puzzle that was bravely accepted by students from Saltus, Warwick Academy and CedarBridge Academy to convince a full house that each ten minute plot was unique, convincing, real, sometimes funny, and most important of all, thought-provoking and memorable.
1. Play: 2 a.m. by Tamara Leach
- Director: Elliana Goonewardene
- Actors: Rose Kemp, Chole Samuels & Zion Mills
Comment: The writer/actors convinced us that change can be scary.
2. Play: Tail of a Headless Horseman by Basil Soares
- Director: Isabel Hughes
- Actors: Mia Abbott, Lara Burnet, Rhianha Hayward, Gianna Pedro
Comment: A good plot and the stinger at the end that the curse was spread from touch was a shocking revelation. Well done writer/director/actors.
3. Play: A Live or Die Mystery by Basil Soares
- Director: Hannah Stockley
- Actors: Deona Gibbons, Serena Goonewardene, Jack Mc Donnell, Moya van Niekerk
Comment: An approaching storm causes power outages when a murder occurs. What is the motive and how is it solved? The actors kept us in the palm of their hands.
4. Play: Mania by Kisaye Bell
- Director: Christopher Davidson
- Actors: Jessica Oppenheim, Michael Stamper, Natalia Tafur, Andy Thorpe
Comment: A gun robbery goes wrong. And we are shocked when we find out who really did it. Great job all around.
5. Play: Alternate Ophthalmology by Zoraiz Umer
- Directors: Amber McHugh and Alice Summerville
- Actors: Annika Henderson, Nicholas, Henderson, Amelie Mulder, Gabby smith
Comment: This play was deep. The imagery, political motto highlighted what we see may not be what is ideal or the light that grandmother was talking about. Congrats actors you pulled off the writers vision and directors guidance.
6. Play: Desperation Stakes by Sienna Woolridge
- Director: Jessica Bucher
- Actors: Jayden smith, Sophia DellaValle, Skyla Furbert, Ailie Waddington
Comment: The writer and actors convinced the audience that the jockey with the horse head on a stick won the race and sibling rivalry was resolved.
Commendations to all. The production revealed we have skillful playwrights in the making and actors who were not nervous, knew their lines, and made their characters believable. The interaction between mentors/chaperones was a winning combination. The whole team gave us a delightful night that led to a well-deserved standing ovation.
- Dale Butler has written six sell out full-length plays and ensures theatre performances are a priority on his travel list. He can be contacted at daledbutler@gmail.com or 595-9841.
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