The gifts of talent have come to the fore for the director of 'No Ordinary Christmas'.

Director Dr. Shangri-la Durham Thompson talked about the play, the actors and the opportunity for local talent.

"They were looking for a director and Emily Gail Dill contacted me and asked if I could assist," she said, "and I am always glad to assist.

"We have been colleagues from a long way back, we have done things together in the church and I was the director of drama and she was in some of my performances."

When asked whether directing was proving to be a challenge, Dr. Durham Thompson told The Royal Gazette that it was.

"It is very much of a challenge, as the cast is almost all overseas and they have just started to come in.

"Daren Herbert is Bermudian and I met him for the first time and Darrell Simons has been working on the music, so that has been a challenge.

"It is a wonderful cast of people and the young people are phenomenal and many of them are from the 'Bermuda Idol'." Meeting most of the Bermudian youngsters for the first time, she said last week: "I've never really met them before, but this is a chance to meet them and to work with them, and they are really inspiring, because they are so talented.

"But the challenge is that we are working without the benefit of a full cast, so we've been doing rehearsals, but not really seeing how it all ties together."

As the overseas performers arrive, they are just falling in, she said: "So the past two nights has been amazing how quickly it has come together and how well everyone is working so well together.

"It is something that I have never done before."

Of working with casting director and playwright Monroe Kent III, she explained: "I met him for the first time this week.

"He came in two or three days ago and he is a phenomenal person. We have spoken via telephone, but to meet him in person and to hear what his vision is for the play is great, because many of us do not have the benefit of speaking directly to the playwright.

"So I have the benefit of hearing what his views are and what his thoughts are and that has been very helpful.

"This play is unbelievable." The play is a cross between Langston Hughes' 'Nativity' and Charles Dickens' 'Christmas Carol'. "It is imaginary with limited set," said the director.

"We haven't put all the technical part in; we are just trying to gel as a group to see how it all comes together.

"I have never done anything like this, and it has just been an overwhelming experience and overwhelming is not quite the right work it is more like awesome.

"And I am one of those who believe that God has everything in control, and I am just amazed at how he has put this together and how it has just come together.

"It makes you say, 'there is a God and he has it in control!'" Everyone was wondering how it was going to be done, but Mrs. Durham Thompson explained that the cast is so professional there is very little that she has to worry about.

"They take directions so well, and Daren Herbert to be here and work with him," she said.

"Sometimes I feel that these are really young people and they have so many opportunities and I am amazed at the opportunities that they have that were not available when I was young.

"It wasn't about talking about directing plays or writing plays, but these young people have so many opportunities.

"When I read their resumes and see that Twanee opened for this act or the other and a few weekends ago they were at the Apollo, so even then I couldn't rehearse with them as a full group."

Of the cast she said that they have Tauria Raynor, Candice Furbert, who she recently heard singing on Hott 107.5 FM. "Darrell Simons is dealing with all the music," she said. "People want to see it work. Cast members are saying, 'I know I can sing, but I can act too', so I wish there were enough parts for each of them to show what they can do best.

"Leading cast members for 'No Ordinary Christmas' are the sensational Grammy Award Nominee and Stellar Award Winner Kim Burrell, Andre Demps of the Sounds of Blackness, Cherisse Scott of 'Mahalia', Timothy Foster of 'Evolution', Broadway's Kimberly Jajuan Harrison and Edison Herbert of London's West End.

"Other artists include Jackie Simons and John Duncan of the JDJ Project and comedian Nadanja Bailey.

"Also performing is The Apex Four, Tracey Richardson, Bermuda Idols and seven time Amateur Night at the Apollo winner Larrita Adderley, Singing for Success Canjelae Taylor, Raanan Ben Aviel, Dreamgirls' Cindy Smith, Toni M. Robinson, Ryan Bean, Bishop Floyd Myrie, Malissa Furbert, Jennifer Butterfield, George Simons, Steve Smith, Rozena Simmons, Sheri Simmons, Michelle Spencer, Dion Ming and Erica Hines.

"Considering that I have never met them before they are so welcoming."

The play runs until Sunday at the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts and tickets, $35 and $65, are available at www.bdatix.com.