Members of the St James Stage Group had their church hall rollicking for yet another year as they presented their 43rd annual Old Fashion Concert.Patrons from all over the Island have for decades put aside Easter Monday night for what was guaranteed to be a hilarious trip down memory lane in song, dance and dialogue.This year for the first time, there was not just one, but two back-to-back performances from a cast of unflagging mothers and great-grandmothers, some approaching their nineties, who seemed enthused enough to go for the entire week.As we have said before many of the ladies of the stage group ordinarily can be found sitting sedately in their choirs and churches. But come Easter Monday night they put on their Easter bunny hats and gowns, parade through the audience, take to the stage putting put aside their inhibitions to do a respectable burlesque here and an impersonation there, and singing both secular and religious songs all in great fun.The routines or skits, written by the performers themselves, were based on real-life experiences in their kitchens, contending with contrary children, teachers with student misfits and village storekeepers and so on.Particularly hilarious was the skit on the Community Hair Parlour, with cosmetologist Barbara Lewis-Mills making her debut coping with such lively stage veterans as Lilymay Bulford, Hattianne Gilbert, Jennifer Hall, Marilyn Burchall; and two of the three males in the show, Sterlin Smith and Earl Bascome.Third male was Darnley Smith, with a super performance in the Valley Meat Market, dealing with first one then another of his customers, testing his good nature demanding credit for their goods. Later Darnley was a natural as a perplexed schoolmaster. The ‘Night Farming’ skit was really funny, especially with Edna Smith dishing out justice to the thievish culprits when brought to her court the day after being caught red-handed.Among the most versatile on stage were Joan Dismont and Viola Pinky Rogers, both octogenarians with tons of energy, along with Rosemary Cann and, not to be missed, Marjorie Talbot. There were also the ‘stage group survivors’, who performed from the very first production 43 years ago. They were Alsace Trott, her sister Marilyn Burchall, and Melvina Smith.The entire show was backed up by the Touch of Faith Orchestra under Leon Virgil. His sightless wife Judy was roundly applauded for her ‘Troubled World’ solo that she wrote.President of the highly-organised St James Stage Group is Geoffrey Butler-Durrant, who is also known as ‘The Sheik of Sandys’. Vice-president is Alsace Trott and secretary is Nelda Symonds. Production director is Rotimi Martins and treasurer is Edna Smith. Concert finance controller was Maurita Thompson, assisted by Patricia Edwards.Stage manager for the show was Weldon Gilbert, assisted by Kwafimae Foster, the ten-year-old great nephew of Myrtle (Sally) Perinchief. The latter teamed up with Pearl Simmons and Frances Johnson as usherettes.CAPTIONS ( 10 PICS )Close-up are ‘The Sheik of Sandys,’ President Geoffrey-Butler Durrant. Darnley Smith, a natural back in action after a long lapse; and another natural Brenda Wingood. Unabashed about her bright red bloomers is Vice-president Marjorie Talbot. Full-figured ladies making a guest appearance from the Sandys Fifty-Plus Social Club are Jennifer Burrows-Hall, Cynthia Simons and Theresa Brangman. Show Director Rotimi Martin, directs the cast in their opening act. Versatile Joan Dismont (right) is seen perplexing her school master (Darnley Smith) as he deals with his class of mis-fits, including Sterlin Smith and Marilyn Burchall and Myra Bristol. Myra graduated from a mis-fit to the powerful winner of a funny election campaign.The show was evidently well received by patrons. St. James Rector Archdeacon emeritus, Ven. Dr. Arnold Hollis and Bishop Stephen Jones and wife Amanda(distinguished patrons for the second show) were bowled over by one of the skits. The opening night’s production was under the distinguished patronage of Allen Temple AME Pastor, Rev. Howard Dill and wife Dr. Emilygale Dill.