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Show postponement

Published 4 January 2022

The rehearsals for Princess Ida have been really enjoyable, and all the participants have been looking forward to the show taking place in February. However, with Covid infection rates still increasing and Government advice being that no more than three households should mix socially, it doesn’t seem sensible to continue face-to-face rehearsals. Having to miss an unknown number of rehearsals at such a critical stage in the show’s preparation – only seven weeks to opening night – means that there would be a real risk of the show not reaching peak performance standard so, regretfully, the Committee have decided that we should postpone the show scheduled for 18–19 February 2022.

Our production director has been tasked with negotiating alternative dates with Carnegie Hall, so please watch this website for news of the new date for our production of Princess Ida and a revised schedule for rehearsals.

We’ve started back!

Published 31 August 2021

A great time was had by everyone who came along to the first rehearsal for our semi-staged production of Princess Ida, but we’re still at the early stages, so we will be welcoming new or returning singers at 7.30pm on every Wednesday in September. Please remember that we are now meeting at Limekilns Parish Church and, before you set out, read this linked document for guidance on what we’ve done to keep you safe and the part you’ve to play.

We’re starting next week!

Published 19 August 2021

More about our plans for a semi-staged production of Princess Ida below, but do please come along to Limekilns Parish Church at 7.30pm on Wednesday 25 August. Do bring a friend, and, before you set out, please read this linked document for guidance on what we’ve done to keep you safe and the part you’ve to play.

Our next two shows

Published 18 August 2021

We’ve been busy so far this year putting on an on-line panto and a Zoom version of The Mikado that attracted rave reviews, as you’ll read at this link.

Our committee have also been working on plans for our next appearance on stage at Dunfermline’s Carnegie Hall. You’ll recall that our 50th anniversary production of The Pirates of Penzance couldn’t happen in 2021 for obvious reasons! Initially we anticipated just one year’s delay. However, ongoing COVID uncertainties, compounded by concerns about theatre upgrades, mean we can’t take the financial risk of producing our usual fully-staged show with orchestra until February 2023.

But we’re really excited to tell you that, having realised that many members liked the idea of performing an entire operetta (rather than a concert), the committee decided on a semi-staged production of Princess Ida. There won’t be hired scenery, but there will be appropriately-themed costumes supplied by members, and we’ll have John Allen’s legendary lighting. Willie Campbell will be our MD, and the production will be directed by Rae Lamond. We know from Rae’s 2012 concert version of Princess Ida how much she can achieve with limited resources but limitless vision and originality.

Details are yet to be finalised, but put Saturday 19 February 2022 in your diaries as a chance to see an operetta that has some wonderful music, but is rarely seen in a stage production.

Our trip to Titipu was a success!

Published 20 June 2021

The Titipu crowd assembles
Count-down to the show
Our 5-minute call reminds us of happier days!
About to begin … the overture and credits follow
Our Gentlemen of Japan
“Gentlemen, I pray you tell me!”
“A thing of shreds and patches”
“The mighty troops of Titipu!”
“Overwhelmed with despair, I quitted the town”
“… unless connubially linked, should forthwith be beheaded”
“…every judge is now his own executioner”
“You very imperfect ablutioner”
“To a height that few can scale”
Three little maids from school
“At last, my bride that is to be!”
“a particularly haughty and exclusive person”
“So adventurous a tale”
“… unless they were insulted with a very considerable bribe”
“Life is a joke that’s just begun!”
“At last, my bride that is to be!”
“I beg your pardon. Will you introduce me?”
“I see nothing to laugh at”
“He’s my guardian, and he wouldn’t let me marry you!”
“Shall I tell her? Yes! She will not betray me!”
“Breathing sighs of unutterable love”
“I would kiss you fondly thus” (COVID-19 version)
“This is what I’ll never do!”
“To think how entirely my future happiness is wrapped up in that little parcel!”
“Can’t you see I’m soliloquizing?”
“It seems unkind to say so, but …
“… everything seems to point to you”
“Should plot and plan as best he can,”
“What are you going to do with that belt?”
“But – dear me! – well – I agree”
“With aspect stern and gloomy stride”
“Hail, Nanki-Poo!”
“Then let the throng our joy advance”
“With joyous shout and ringing cheer”
“A day, a week, a month, a year”
“Your revels cease!”
“Come back, oh, shallow fool! come back to joy!”
“’Tis Katisha! The maid of whom I told you.”
“Away, nor prosecute your quest”
“On this subject we pray you be dumb”
“The hour of gladness is dead and gone”
“I’ll tear the mask from your disguising!”
“O ni! bikkuri shakkuri to! oyal oya!”
“For joy reigns everywhere around.”
Act 1 ends … so all can take their chosen refreshment
Yum-Yum is about to get married as we wait for Act 2 to start
“Try if you can cry, we will do so, too.”
“Modesty at marriage-tide well becomes a pretty bride!”
“Yes, I am indeed beautiful!”
“I mean to rule the earth, as he the sky”
“I believe I am the very happiest girl in Japan!”
“They’ve been reminding me that in a month you’re to be beheaded!”
“There’s a silver lining to every cloud.”
“Fickle moment, prithee stay!”
“Begin by putting your arm round her waist.”
“Buried alive!”
“Here’s a pretty how-de-do!”
“No, no – pardon me – I can’t allow that.”
“Now then, Lord Mayor, what is it?”
“Very well, then – behead me.”
“Yum-Yum, are you particularly busy?”
“Miya sama, miya sama, on n’m-ma no mayé ni”
“He’ll marry his son (he’s only got one)”
“The idiot who, in railway carriages, scribbles on window-panes”
“… elliptical billiard balls!”
“… of innocent merriment!”
“Describe it!”
“All this is very interesting”
“You hold that I am not beautiful because my face is plain”
“A Second Trombone!”
“Where shall I find another?”
“I forget the punishment for compassing the death of the Heir Apparent.”
“Wretched meritorious B!”
“Here, Nanki-Poo, I’ve good news for you”
“I? Marry Katisha?!”
“Tra la la la la la”
“Alone, and yet alive!”
“But vengeance pursues – they are heating the cauldron!”
“Ah, shrink not from me!” (Joy steps in while Fiona is off-line)
“On a tree by a river a little tom-tit sang ‘Willow, titwillow, titwillow!’”
“Did he really die of love?”
“Is there not beauty even in bloodthirstiness?”
“It’s evident, very, our tastes are one.”
“ … produce the unfortunate gentleman”
“I beg your pardon, I don’t think I quite caught that remark”
“… if he is dead, why not say so?”
“For he’s gone and married Yum-Yum”
“And brightly shines the dawning day”
“Inaugurate their new career!”
In the credits we asked people to join us, and to support in other ways
Farewell to Titipu at the end of the credits
A Zoom bow by some of the cast
Relaxing in the virtual green room after the show

The images above were taken from the Backstage feed of our Zoom performance of The Mikado on 16 June. They tell the story of an excellent show, from early doors to final curtain. There are 97 slides which take around 5 minutes to play, but you can stop at any point by hovering over the image, or select the image you want to look at from the filmstrip below the caption line.

As you’ll see from the chat extracts below, everyone enjoyed themselves. There were a few technical glitches – thanks to Joy for reading in when Backstage (Helen) sent the direct message to Ko-Ko (Robin) “Katisha has gone offline!” – but otherwise the evening went smoothly. Thanks to Robin, Willie and Martin for making the production possible artistically, musically and technically.

Lucy and Ed: congratulations to all, really fun and such a great way to sing “together.” A joyous shout indeed!!

KatyW: Absolutely fabulous! And no covid tests needed to travel to Titipu! Huge well done to everyone!

ElspethW: that was a great evenings entertainment. well done all

Susan: Thank you for a great show – such fun to sing along, and you all obviously were enjoying yourselves so much.

GillR: Extraordinary! What an incredible, achievement and fun evening! Thank you so much everyone for bringing huge smiles to our faces!!

Zoom Mikado on 16 June

Published 10 June 2021

Our Zoom performance of The Mikado is at 7:30pm on 16 June. Please log on at least five minutes before the show starts – the waiting room will open up shortly after 7:00pm. If you haven’t yet received log-on information, drop an email to our hard-working Administrator, Ellen Patrick, at ellen@dgass.org.uk.

As with the panto, music has been pre-recorded by members – plus a wide a variety of friends from near and far – and you can sing along (muted) to the end result of work by a cast of nearly 50. See if you can spot your friends in the rolling credits in the slideshow above. [As with all such sliders, just hover your cursor over the image to stop it moving]

Remember … this is a one-off, and “such an opportunity will not occur again”!

Plans for 2021/22

Published 17 March 2021

Members have been enjoying regular weekly sessions that combine an opportunity to sing with a chance to chat and to extend our knowledge of Gilbert and Sullivan. Recently we had a really good, fun, performance of The Merryman and his Maid, a pantomime devised and directed by Robin Ożóg. A great evening was had by all, including our guests for the evening from other societies. Maybe we’ll even get an opportunity later in the year to present the work in live performance!

Last June we had to postpone our planned concert version of The Mikado, and can’t perform it live this year either, so our next project is a Zoom performance on 16 June. As with the panto, music will be pre-recorded by members, and you can sing along (muted) to the end result. We are putting a cast together and hope for even more numbers to join us for this venture.

Given the ongoing and uncertain COVID-19 situation, we’re not able to meet in person, and it’s likely that we won’t be able to commence music rehearsals as usual in August. However, we still plan to perform The Pirates of Penzance in front of a live audience, and the practicalities of how we prepare for that are being worked out.

If you’re an audience member, make sure that Thursday to Saturday 17–19 February 2022 is in your diary; if you fancy the idea of being part of the cast, why not get in touch today and join our Zoom community? For more information, drop an email to Ellen (ellen@dgass.org.uk).