January 2018 issue

12
SHOWTIME 2017
GWSA’s 35 th ANNUAL VARIETY SHOW
As the doors opened at 1:00 pm on November 30 for
the GWSA’s annual Variety Show’s 3-day run, the
gathering crowd was treated to the guitar strains of
Eric Lunn as he entertained with a pre-show selection
of traditional and seasonal musical pieces.
The show opened at 1:30 with the appearance on
stage of Buddy Brennan, Emcee designate, with his
jokes, witticisms and introduction of the show program.
After appropriate thanks to significant volunteer
contributors to the show, he invited the audience
to join him in his bar and the curtain opened on
a unique bar setting that would serve as the primary
backdrop throughout the show.
As unlikely a setting as it may have seemed, the
curtain opening also revealed the opening act, the
GWSA Silvertones, under the direction of Ann
Sneyd and accompanied by Mary Lynn Woods on
piano, offering a selection of popular tunes.
Throughout the balance of the 2-act show, the audience
was entertained by the comedic routines of
the Sons of Beaches, Elvis and his Backup Singers
and by both the solo and duet song offerings of
guest vocalists Joan Charlebois, Stephen Berryman
and Tammy Whetham.
Of particular note in Act 2 was how popular and
busy Buddy’s Bar became as patrons drifted in to
revel in the casual atmosphere over a light libation
and to dance. The Charleston? Really? Who knew!
But the audience seemed to enjoy select members of
the Silvertones, the Sons of Beaches and other cast
members performing the dance, popular well before
their time.
As it opened, the show closed with a selection of
songs performed by the Silvertones which included
Christmas in Killarney. This was followed by an
audience singalong of favourite Christmas pieces.
The curtain closed and Emcee Buddy offered thanks
to all those who brought the show together: the Variety
Show committee chaired by Dorothe Fair, the
Light and Sound tech crew, all the volunteers, and
last, but certainly not least, the Producer and Director,
respectively, Barry Scutt and John Snowden.
Another successful season of fun and entertainment!
T S - J 2018 — V. 42, N. 5