The St James Stage Group’s 45th Annual Old Fashion Variety Concert was simply fantastic; absolutely funny.

A 30-strong cast, comprising a number of mothers, grands and great grands, some in their late seventies, eighties and nineties, colourfully garbed and totally uninhibited by age, shape and size sang, danced and joked their way through a fast moving programme in the parish church hall.

Patrons from all over the Island, packed the hall to overflowing.

Some had been patiently waiting for more than an hour before the official opening of the doors to the hall.

Those unable to gain admission were assured a repeat performance would be scheduled for this Saturday night.

In any case the lucky ones from start to finish two-and a half hours later, were either brought to their feet applauding or kept rocking in their seats displaying satisfaction their high expectations had been met.

It was a fine tribute to the production organiser, Geoffrey Butler-Durrant and to the director Rotimi Martins.

Geoffrey, who is esteemed as the “Sheik of Sandys”.

His residence is the “Old Chimney”, almost in the shadows of St James Anglican church, where he is among other things, a pastoral assistant and church warden.

He has been with the show since its inception by the late Mrs Elizabeth Forde 46 years ago.

He goes all out, endeavouring to maintain the community spirit generated by Mrs Forde, aided by her music director the late Jessie Dickenson.

Nigerian-born Rotimi has been the director since arriving in Bermuda by way of universities in Wales and the US, 34 years ago.

He’s an internationally recognised stage production director.

The musical side this year, generated by the Touch of Faith Band, directed by Charles Virgil, lead guitarist and vocalist was a show in itself, especially when they compensated for the inevitable production flaws, such as a microphone ‘acting up.’ here and there.

Allana Simons’ pianist was great in her introduction to the show. Others in the orchestra were Earl Bascome, piano; Thomas Bean, accordion; Elliott Perinchief, drums; Leon Virgil bass guitarist. They were just “cool cats”.

This writer has tried to figure out which of the past shows he has missed; two or three maybe.

In any case yours truly noted the conspicuous absence of some of my old stage performers, including Hatti-Ann Spencer Gilbert, who was caught up in her roles for the ‘Egg and Fish Show’ or 76th Agricultural Exhibition currently taking place this week at the Botanical Gardens. Rosemary Joell Cann was notably absent; greatly missed was vocalist Melvina Smith; also musician Thomas Bean.

But not to be missed were my favourite ‘show stealers’, the gifted irrepressible Lilymay Bulford; liturgical dancer Cynthia Simons; Marjorie Talbot, who has been celebrating her Golden Marriage anniversary to Quinton Talbot.

Famous for showing her brightly coloured bloomers in the past, her flash this year was high but so brief to get a good photo.

However Marjorie was not suppressed in her skit romancing a responsive Sterlin Smith and presenting him a bouquet of bright red roses, which like an after she told him he could give them to his wife as a Valentine gift if he so wished

Another of the many fulsome skits was that of the “Forgetful Husband”, with Alsace Trott severely berating husband Sterlin for purchasing everything he yearned for, like his beers, but being so forgetful, failing to look at the grocery list she had given him.

The husband hushed her up in the end reminding her that it was because of his forgetfulness that she has an adorable son!

As we contended earlier the 45fth Annual from start to finish was first class.

Johnathan Rogers dressed like a rogue of the first order was the opening act, in a monologue with lively audience participation. It was titled “Evil Everywhere”.

He told of is escape from Arnold’s Shop on Hog Bay Level, where he encountered Devil’s Food Cake; he escaped to Lope’s Grocery in Somerset to find something similar; and then further up to the Market Place finding Betty Crocker making it with Uncle Ben.

He had some quips in between that were priceless.

It fell to Johnathan to feature in the closing act termed “Genesis”.

It showed him lying prostrate on the dimly lit stage depicting the Garden of Eden. He woke up going through the motions discovering he was missing a rib.

Standing nearby was Eve, beautifully played by Joan Dismont, about to tempt him with the forbidden fruit. Johnathan took a bite, and the two discovering they were nude, escaped from the stage shielding themselves with big banana tree leaves.

It was fantastic, with the orchestra supplying the background music.