McGhie directed by some of the best

Actress Grace McGhie said, "I was privileged to have been directed by Dennis Scott in three consecutive productions. There was Carmen Tipling's Sleeper, Rhone's Smile Orange and Comic Strip and, in the '80s, Two Can Play with Charlie (Charles Hyatt).

"Trevor Nairne directed me for Jambiz (at Centerstage) in On the Edge and Pablo Hoilett directed me in Doloris by Jon Betancort in about 1991. The late Karl Binger was in it as my husband, and also John Jones. I was this really schizophrenic woman and Dr Freddie Hickling (a psychiatrist] came and tutored me for the role during rehearsals. It was one of my absolute favourites," she said.

Other directors McGhie worked with were Buddy Pouyat, Keith Noel, Bari Johnson and Henk John from Suriname, who directed her in Hot Flashes at the Creative Arts Centre.

Elaborating enthusiastically on Hot Flashes, she said "Leonie, Fae Ellington, Jean Small, Marjorie Whylie and, I think, Barbara McCalla were in it. I learnt a lot from Henk. I was also directed by Louis Marriott for his Playboy and his Life in Ja at the Little Little Theatre," she said.

"The last play I did was at The Pantry - True Colours, directed by Douglas Prout. Alwyn Scott was in that production. It could have been about 10 years ago. This is a bit of a comeback," McGhie said. "When Pierre asked me to do this I was thrilled, but I was in a bit of a panic. How I going cope with the lines? Still, it's only 10 or 11 minutes, so it's the right vehicle to see if I can still do it."

And she went off to rehearse with School of Drama lecturer Dorraine Reid, playing a character who is also running away home.

Opening February 17 in the Dennis Scott Studio Theatre, 7 x 11 is intended to be, Lemaire said, "an evening of fun with the faculty in the theatre ... which will give the students an opportunity to see a different side of their lecturers."

- MR