Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

IQALUIT (Jan 25/99) - Bryan Pearson's recorded messages are kind of like a giant mood ring.

If he's feeling happy and satisfied as he's shutting down Iqaluit's Astro Theatre for the night, his message for the following day is bound to be jaunty and playful.

"If I'm in a good mood, it can be amusing," admits the proud owner of the nearly three-year-old, 133-seat theatre.

But if he's feeling grumpy or out of sorts, his description of the two films being shown that week is likely to be steeped in his own loveable brand of sarcasm. And it's that Liverpool accent that keeps the phone ringing off the hook. Pearson says potential customers have actually called, reached him in person and asked him to hang up and play the message.

"A lot of people call and say, 'I didn't call to hear you, Pearson, I called to hear the message so hang up the goddamned phone.'"

A resident of Iqaluit since 1956, he is surprised his daily descriptions have become so popular.

"Now it's become a bloody nuisance and you've got to try to be amusing or something."

But for film fan Andrea Cnudde, Pearson's combination movie review/weather report/life commentary, never fails to captivate her.

"I like how he will incorporate his own feelings about Iqaluit society into the different aspects of the movies," says Cnudde, who's told friends in the south to call the theatre and catch Pearson's offering.

"I thought I had to share it with my friends because they'd appreciate that. They like it and think it's a kooky Northern thing, but there's so much more to it."

Rannva Simonsen says Pearson's lyrical messages have actually helped improve her command of the English language.

"When we call there, I love it. He's expanding our vocabulary with all these enhancing words. He has such a bunch of them and he enriches our language," says Simonsen.

"When he wasn't there for a week, I was so disappointed to hear someone else was talking."

Simonsen's partner, Kirt Ejesiak, says the humorous recording is well worth the call and lures them to the Astro Theatre at least once or twice a week.