Kads’ hilarious holiday fun with Santa’s Grotto
HIGH winds and torrential rain failed to dampen the spirits of Kyrenia Amateur Dramatic Society thespians and their stalwart audience who turned out for a festive dining-theatre experience on Wednesday evening at Alsancak’s Açmenya Restaurant. The debut of Santa’s Grotto, the fourth in the annual Christmas murder mystery series by Beverley Westbrook, featured the return of Ralph Kratzer as the cynical Inspector Ralph of Lapland Yard and Horst Gutowski and Jacqueline McIntyre as Santa and Mrs Anya Claus.
A repeat performance on Thursday was abandoned because of flooding but a third was being staged at Korineum Golf and Beach Resort last night in aid of the SOS Children's Village and Kyrenia Animal Rescue. Ms Westbrook said some of Thursday's ticket-holders had opted to see the show at Korineum instead, and with some audience and cast members leaving the island for Christmas a meeting would be held to decide what to do about the cancelled show.
Wednesday’s guests enjoyed a welcoming glass of mulled wine, followed by soup as a lively script raised giggles at local drivers’ use of indicators and lane discipline in the first act, and guffaws continued during dinner.
Ms Westbrook said: “Reactions to childhood fairy tales and Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer prove that our inner child is still alive and well in North Cyprus!”
Talented and fun performances by Ray Johnson as Patch Works and Diana Peek as the indomitable Fairy Godmother raised laughs and knowing looks, while there was more entertainment from newcomers Simon Poole as Randolph Rainedier, Susan Turner as Anne Runn and Gabriele Stoppkotte as Sue Grabbit.
The confident cast produced a terrific family show thanks to unsung behind-the-scenes heroes John Davies, Carole Dovey, Stephen Everett, Janet Wallace and Pat Muttrie, and compère and MC Alan Peek.