`Sybil' makes a triumphant return
Bermudian female impersonator Sybil Barrington received an overwhelming welcome this week as he performed before a sell-out crowd at The New Clayhouse Inn.
In fact Barrington and three American drag queens, known as The Illusions, were so popular at last Sunday's talent show that a second show will be held at the same venue tonight.
And the outgoing personality stole the spotlight from morning greeter Mr.
Johnny Barnes at the Crow Lane roundabout yesterday morning.
"Some people got out of their cars and took pictures, while others drove around several times,'' Barrington said. "Mr. Barnes also welcomed me with open arms. I was at the round-about from 7.30 to 9.05 a.m.. It was a very intriguing time. It went by so quickly.'' But Barrington told The Royal Gazette he dreamed of the day when Bermuda would recognise its local entertainers before they made a name for themselves overseas.
Barrington, who has appeared with The Illusions in movies such as `Party Girl' and `To Wong Foo: Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar' and has been the opening act at Copeland's Restaurant in Harlem for actress Clarisse Taylor (the mother of Bill Huxtable on The Cosby Show), is working on his biography with a writer.
"I basically plan to bring Hollywood to Bermuda one day,'' he said. "I want to do this for Bermudians who are stuck here with talent.'' He claimed Government and local clubs and hotels were willing to do more for foreign entertainers than Bermudians.
"I think that is the main problem facing Bermudian entertainers,'' Barrington said. "Or they worry about what others will say about them if they are considered different.'' Barrington stressed talented Bermudians should pursue their dreams in the entertainment field.
"My message to them is if you have talent go ahead and use it,'' he said."Don't let anyone stop you. Take advice, decipher it for yourself, and move on.'' Barrington said he hoped to open his own club in the US or Bermuda and help other Bermudian entertainers to pursue their dreams.
"For now I'll stay there (in the US) and do all that I can to help others gets started,'' he said, adding that he was trying to link up local comedian Bootsie with Def Jam Productions and was trying to persuade a member of the gospel singing group Destiny to enter an upcoming gospel choir contest at the famous Apollo Theatre in New York.
Barrington, otherwise known as Mark Anderson, also said he awaited the day when Bermuda would look beyond people's sexual orientation and respect them for what they had to offer to the community.
"Even though I'm a gay man, I want to see other local entertainers prosper as well because we all have something to offer,'' he said. "I know how hard it was for me. They (local entertainers) don't get respect from the community until they make a name for themselves.'' While admitting that his religious family did not condone his choice of career, he said: "They respect me. They don't disown me. And I'm welcomed in their homes.''