Both the team and our audience much enjoyed The Jury’s Out and, when we met to view the video, someone had the idea that we should send a copy to the Buxton G&S Festival organisers, and offer our production as part of the 2026 Festival. And then we waited … until last Autumn we got the offer to perform at St John’s Church, Buxton, at 2:30pm on Wednesday 5 August as part of the 32nd International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival!

Despite this being peak holiday period, Linda managed to commit much the same team as for the première to travel to Buxton, and has since been working on Plan A/Plan B/Plan C as other obstacles are gradually overcome. We can’t take the set or the orchestra, but the essentials of the production remain the same, and we’re looking forward to appearing.

Do come and support us if you fancy a holiday in England’s lovely Peak District – you can book at this link – but, if that’s too much of an ask, you can see the team at Limekilns on 17/18 July. Details at this link.

The story so far is told in “The Road to Buxton – Part 1” on pp26–27 of the June issue of the NODA Scotland magazine.  We look forward to writing Part 2!

Were you one of those unlucky folk who missed The Jury’s Out première last year? So you didn’t find out why the couple in Trial by Jury ended up in court? Or did you see Linda Milne’s fabulous show and wish you were able to see it again?

Well, the good news is that we’re taking the show to Buxton in August and, as part of our preparations, we’re running it next month at Limekilns Parish Church, at 7:30pm on Friday 17 July and 2:30pm on Saturday 18 July. The full show, and the full fun, though with piano accompaniment and staging adapted to the venue.

Tickets are £13 on the door, or tel/text Anne Dolbear on 07703 483083 to make sure of a seat. On the Saturday, finding a parking place might be a tad tricky, so we’d encourage you if you can to come by bus or to share lifts.

Click the image for a full-size flier.

This wasn’t the final fully-dressed version of the curtain call, just an intermediate version, but is intended to give you a flavour of what the show looked like until such time as the video is available.

As you can read in the programme (downloadable from this link), this year’s production of Patience was a modernised version of the original opera which first opened in 1881 at the Opera Comique Theatre in London. The music and characters were unchanged, but we updated parts of the libretto and set the action around the Elstree Studios at Borehamwood, from where Strictly Come Dancing is broadcast. Another change was that in the original work the title role of Patience was a milkmaid. This was fine in 1881, but you don’t get many milkmaids in Borehamwood in 2026, so her occupation was upgraded to a florist!

There were other changes and updates that you might expect … for example, Colonel Calverley’s recipe for a Heavy Dragoon omitted the obscure references to historical characters that are the delight of G&S aficionados … but all Sullivan’s delightful music was there, even if ‘lovesick maidens’ morphed into ‘star-struck ladies’. And there were many nods in the direction of Elstree, with the glamorous Archibald ‘Anton’ Grosvenor wooing all the ladies, and the guardsmen donning evening wear – even sequins in one case – ready for the inevitable dancing.

There was of course a twist! Patience audiences are usually glad for Jane, in our production wittily embodied by our Honorary President, when the Duke chooses her as his bride, leaving Bunthorne “to be contented with a tulip or lily”. But when our Duke fancies the elegant Algernon … “dashed again!”

Needless to say, great fun was had by all, both on the stage and in the audience. Next stop, the Buxton International G&S Festival in August, when we shall be reprising The Jury’s Out in a semi-staged concert performance.

We’d love to have feedback on what you thought of the show, so we can create an archive page in due course. Please email your thoughts and reviews to martin@dgass.org.uk.

We hope you all buy the excellent Dunfermline Press, but did you see page 19 of last week’s edition? The image above of the full-page spread that the Press published (which links to a readable original) tells you all about our latest show, which starts in just two days time … 7:30pm on Thursday 19 February, with a further show the following night and a matinée on Saturday.

If you haven’t yet bought tickets, time is running out! Buy from OnFife at this link, or via their Carnegie Hall Box Office by email to boxoffice.carnegie@onfife.com or in person during opening hours. Or just turn up at the door, though bear in mind that the matinée is quite busy.

However you decide to get your ticket, please don’t ignore this call to action … if you miss what will be a great theatrical experience, you’ll be kicking yourselves next week!

Yesterday found us at Tesco Fire Station, Dunfermline, singing for two hours and delighting the shoppers. It was a hard sing for our small group, but we enjoyed “gathering winter fuel” to warm our Treasurer’s heart! And the descants were as lovely as the ladies …

Your Society is committed to three more sessions, and we’d welcome help from current and former members, and any “sisters, cousins and aunts” you care to bring along. The more singers, the better! Try to come to all of a session, but the odd hour is also really useful as we need a good turnout to keep up the good sound.

You don’t need to tell us in advance that you’re coming – though Jack would be encouraged to know! – but on arrival you do need to call at Customer Services to sign in, and register your car so you don’t get charged for staying in the car park for over two hours.

• Saturday 13 December 10.00am–2.00pm (at checkouts)
• Sunday 14 December 12n–2.00pm (at the foot of the travelator)
• Thursday 18 December 4.00–7.00pm (at checkouts)

And to all those who sing with us, or hear us sing … Merry Christmas!

The coming months offer several opportunities to hear members of the Society in action:

On Sunday 30 November, at 2:00pm at Limekilns Parish Church, a Seasonal Concert – from St Andrew’s Day to Christmas Eve – with a selection of songs to lighten your heart, performed by eight of our members directed/accompanied by Amanda, one of our Assistant Stage Managers.

Tickets £10, on the door, or available in advance from Anne (07703 483083)

Later, in a more informal setting, we will be singing carols at Tesco Fire Station, Dunfermline, with four sessions booked.

• Thursday 11 December 4.00–6.00pm (at checkouts)
• Saturday 13 December 10.00am–2.00pm (at checkouts)
• Sunday 14 December 12n–2.00pm (at the foot of the travelator)
• Thursday 18 December 4.00–7.00pm (at checkouts)

Current and former members are welcome to sing with us, as are your friends and relations – the more singers, the better! Try to come to all of a session, but the odd hour is also really useful as we need a good turnout to make a good sound. Please note that, for security reasons, we need to give the store the names of those performing in advance of each session, so please register your interest by emailing Ellen.