It was old theatre, fun, and a revisit to glory days of past years.

This is the basic précis of Ken Corsbie’s performance in ‘This Mango Sweet’ Friday night at the Theatre Guild Playhouse, Kingston.

There he partnered with other theatre veterans: Francis Farrier, Ron Robinson, Camo Williams (original members from productions in the 1970’s) and a younger member, Russell Lancaster.

ȁI love working with the old team because there is no direction to be done because of the experience and that makes working easy and fun,” Corsbie said.

Corsbie had started as an actor in amateur theatre in Guyana in the early 1950’s on that very stage.

As the performers entered the theatre, Mrs. Gem Nascimento was spotted comfortably welcoming the gathering.

However, the turnout was not as large as was expected and included theatre buffs who could identify with Corsbie’s ilk.

The small audience did not deter the performers as they still gave of their best, visibly enjoying every minute of it.

Before the performance, Corsbie, Farrier, Robinson, Williams and Lancaster were also spotted doing last minute adjustments, hauling in stage manager, Kyle Isaacs, to keep him posted.

And then it started.

“There is a meeting here tonight…,” sang Corsbie as he went over the familiar lines of his introductory chant.

That brought out the smiles; and as Corsbie made his way from the back of the Theatre to the stage, the audience settled down for the treat they knew they were going to be presented with.

As usual, Corsbie’s comedy gigs were related to personal experiences, and relating embarrassing situations he experienced over the many years served well as fuel for the fire of hilarity that he ignited.

The first Act was a solo one and Corsbie was smart and engaging.

Corsbie, expert in blending music and storytelling, thrilled the audience to the last second of the first Act.

The second Act was upped a notch as Farrier, Robinson, Williams and Lancaster joined Corsbie to the delight of the audience, performing word, song and drama.

Combined, the artistes spun different threads that interrupted and intersected with one another creating an elaborate weave of comic vignettes.

By the end of the second Act everyone was in agreement that the show was remarkably well orchestrated, the performances consistently exciting.

And Corsbie began , “There was a meeting here tonight…”

And he concluded with , “Crick crack, wire bend and story end.”

The pity was that so few took time off to see the old maestro at work.

We hope when Corsbie comes again, a larger audience, both young and old, would be at the Playhouse.