A SUPERB backdrop of Bere Alston circa 1897, painted by Tom Chapple, complemented the acts at the annual cabaret extravaganza in the parish hall.
The carnival week event was one which survived, but the carnival itself and fun day were cancelled due to the foot and mouth crisis.
Master of ceremonies was Adam Smith, and the evening opened with 'Summertime' from Gill Wyatt. It continued with dance, song, comedy sketches and show favourites.
Disco dancing and songs by Urban Chicks — Tanya, Hayley and Stephanie — kept feet tapping, and in contrast tenor Colin Anderson held the audience spellbound with his rendition of three older songs.
Bere Ferrers Parish Council showed its different side with a hilarious pastiche on 'The Last of the Summer Wine' and the local WI excelled in a deadly Victorian melodrama.
The new village youth theatre group, Turnaround, proved their versatility with Snippetz — including Mr Bean and Hear'say Rejects — and the main theatre group sang a miscellany from 'The King and I'.
Other performers were David Wright on piano, duettists Tom Chapple and grand-daughter Emma, soloist Lucy Holman and dancers Jessica Todd and Mel Atkinson.
The evening ended with the Post Office staff being recalled for an encore of their slapstick exploits at the Olympics.
Organiser was Beryl Mills, accompanist Lesley Wright, and backstage helpers were Geoff Wyatt, Dave Woolridge, Joe, Ken, Steve Jackson, Ray and Dave Miller.
As other events have been curtailed, it has been decided that this year's carnival queen, Jennifer Green, and her attendants Natalie Pidgeon and Laura Graeme-Drury and pageboy Jonathan Todd will reign supreme for another year.