FEBRUARY 2002
www.celtic-connection.com
Page 15
Moray Nairn and Banff Bnrns Suppers
By ISLA ROBERTSON
VANCOUVER - Well, that's another Burns season over. An exhausting time for all the executive of the Moray Nairn and Banff Association, but it is heartening to see the support we get for the Burns Supper and the Taste of Burns. Each year the demand for both events just seems to grow. We had a capacity crowd of 300 on both nights and had to turn many away.
On Friday night Johnny Murdoch gave the Address to the Haggis. He was at his incomparable best. He makes it funny and acts it out so that even those who don't understand a word he is saying get the meaning. All the children as well as the adults loved it. And didn't all these kids behave well and look so smart? It was a pleasure to have them there.
Ken White gave a witty Toast to the Lassies and his wife Ann gave a very humorous reply. As I gave the Immortal Memory myself I can't say much about it except that it was much shorter than Martin Dick's on the following evening. Past President Nigel Harrison and his wife Fiona and their two little girls came in all the way from Chilliwack so that Nigel could be Master of Ceremonies.
As a new immigrant about eight years ago, the Moray Nairn and Banff Association Burns Supper was Nigel's first introduction to
the Scottish community in Vancouver. The Triumph Street Band, Cal Merry and the Marilyn Merry Dancers as usual did a great job for us and I loved their tribute to the victims of September 11.
Of course, the star attractions were the lads from Arbroath, the •Pepperpot. They give life and soul to any party and we are very lucky to get them to come back each year. As George Callaghan says they have everything going for them, great music, great personalities, can call the dances, witty repartee and fantastic musicians.
How would we get through January without them! Service was a bit slow with the dinner but we are going to improve on that next year. The attendance has grown so much at this event that it is now beyond the Executive to do the catering. No more pie and peas but a sit down roast beef dinner.
On the Saturday, The Burns Supper was a very successful evening. Jim Colston, an Ayrshire man, gave a spirited Address to the Haggis; Martin Dick's Immortal Memory by Martin Dick gave a wealth of detail on the life of Robert Burns and some very funny jokes too.
The Toast to the Lassies by Ken Rogerson assisted by the Pepperpot was a gracious tribute to all the ladies present and Catherine Symons gave a succinct reply in rhyme.
George Callaghan who sings with the Vancouver Welsh Men's choir gave us the Star of Robbie Burns with an amazingly operatic finale. The Master of Ceremonies for the
evening was Ken White and as everything unfolded smoothly and quickly, you know that Ken did a great job.
To entertain us were the Liz Johnson Dancers with Liz's son Rob as their piper. Amazing, how precisely these little tots do the traditional dancers. They were a real crowd pleaser.
We seem to have a proliferation of Kens this year but no Burns Supper would be complete without our own piper, Ken McCrimmon who piped in the haggis with a flourish. A Moray Nairn and Banff Burns Suppers just wouldn't be the same without Past President Ken who has been doing this job for us for many years.
Austin Gourmet of Coquitlam did the catering on both nights and also provided the excellent haggis which they make themselves.
There are a multitude of behind the scenes jobs at events such'as these and for all those no glory, but lots of work behind the scenes jobs we have to thank, Don Poulter, Hamish Robertson, Alex and Chrissie Reid, Joe Cassidy, Connie who stepped in for Bruce and did a great job of selling raffle tickets and Bonnie and her brother who really kept the bar moving along. We also have to thank Malcolm, the caretaker at the hall, who helped us in every way he could.
[For a Burns Photo Round-up see page 30]
HOLLYWOOD PROFILE
Alan Cumming -Scotland, With
■ From Love
By ROBERT WALDMAN
Talented Scottish actor Alan Cumming is no stranger to British Columbia audiences. He first gained local notoriety when he starred opposite Sylvester Stallone in the remake of Get Carter.
Later he made a return appearance to the Lower Mainland to star as a fiendish rock producer in the Universal Pictures big screen version of the classic television series Josie and the Pussycats. Despite talented casts and multi-million dollar budgets, both films failed to draw crowds.
Contrasting this lack of success was the critically acclaimed The Anniversary Parti/. From out of nowhere this small independent film struck gold with first class acting and a telling storyline. Besides starring in The Anniversary Party, Cumming co-directed and co-wrote this low budget film shot entirely on digital video.
This versatile Scottish talent fust surfaced overseas where he honed his craft, like so many others, working in the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal National Theatre. As a testimony to the quality of his work, dimming won a coveted Lawrence Olivier Award
By
ROBERT WALDMAN
and then received a further three nominations.
Writing has also been one of Cumming's strong suits as has his willingness to accept British TV opportunities, Be it comedy or drama, this actor can do it all. Most people clearly recognize Cumming from his diverse work in feature films.
So me classic examples of unforgettable performances include appearances in Circle of Friends, Second Best, Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, Spiceworld, Urbania, Titus, Eyes Wide Shut. Company Man and The Flintslones in Viva Rock Vegas. And let us not forget the role that won Cumming global fame, playing nervous Russian computer geek Boris Grishenko in
Ooldcneye - Pierce Brosnan's James Bond debut in 1995. One could say from 1995 onward Cumming has never had to look back.
Youngsters especially enjoy his work. Witness the success of the sleeper hit Spy Kids and a host of his other roles. On stage, Cumming has also earned a Tony Award as the emcee in Cabaret and has appeared both on Broadway and on the British stage.
Examples of British theatrical roles can be found in Hamlet, As You Like It and Le Bete, Singer and Accidental Death of an . Anarchist while stateside he did a Roundabout Theatre production of Noel Coward's Design for Living. Stand-up comedy also makes up Cumming's resume which has clearly risen dramatically since his birth in Perthshire, Scotland.
Producers looking for good value on the dollar/pound/ycn can find it in spades with Alan Cumming, a man who operates like a true chameleon. Here is a performer able to succeed with any role -and flourish. Be it singing, writing, directing or plain acting - this is one humble man who clearly can (and does) do it all.
2
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