Charles Hyatt (left) signs an autograph for a fan, while talking with one of his colleagues, Teddy Price. - Norman GrindleyCHARLES HYATT became misty-eyed and turned a cartwheel as the voice of "Miss Lou" Louise Bennett and her husband Eric Coverley bounced off the walls of the Centrestage Theatre, New Kingston, Monday night. They wished him happy birthday on tape.
The theatre was too small for the scores of people who came to pay tribute to actor, comedian, and broadcaster extraordinaire in a tribute billed 'Here's to Charlie'. The small stage was overcrowded with the Fab Five band and performers who represented different genres.
The set design was made of broken reflecting glass.
Memories and praises were poured on the leading performer and emotions were high.
It was a celebration of Hyatt's 70th birthday last Valentine's Day and was organised by Frankie Campbell, Teddy Price, Alvin Campbell and Louis Marriott.
Fab 5, with Grub Cooper on vocals, opened the evening with a rendition of Unforgettable, which made way for other sentimental tributes.
Fitz Weir reminisced of his earlier days with Hyatt, dating back to 1956 and had patrons howling with laughter at his gimmicks about the website 'www.cyaan come'.
Trevor Rhone presented a poem he wrote in 1966 -- the only one he has ever written -- and Grace McGhie, dressed like a little boy in cut-off khaki pants and 'bobby socks' read excerpts from Charles Hyatt's book, When Me Was a Boy.
Errol Lee gave a re-worked and risqué version of Ben. E. King's Stand By Me, Lois Kelly-Miller, who presented a musically-inspired prose, received thunderous applause for her 'Intellectual Interlude', Alma Mock Yen did a refreshing skit as an indigent Rastafarian woman with memories of the mud lake and pepper spray.
Commendable performances also came from Beverley Dexter, Marjorie Whylie, Alvin Campbell, Micky Hanson, Bello and Blacka, Denise Hunt, David Reid, Pierre Lemaire and Leonie Forbes. Easton Lee and Fae Ellington, were great as emcees.
A fitting finale to an evening well spent was a surprise taped greeting from Louise 'Miss Lou' Bennett and husband Eric Coverly, wishing Charlie 'A happy 70'.
Hyatt became misty-eyed as the voices of Miss Lou and her husband bounced off the walls of the Centrestage Theatre. That might have inspired the grey-haired Charles Hyatt to turn a cart-wheel on stage.
Hyatt told The Gleaner he was overwhelmed by the event and that his aspirations remained the same as they were at 21 years old... "to keep working in theatre."
"I don't even know what to say. It never struck me before when I was getting to it, then all of a sudden I am 70!", he said.
