The 2025 DGASS Annual General Meeting will take place at The Bruce Arms, Limekilns at 7.30pm on Wednesday 14 May 2025, when we would like to see as many current members (who have/are paying a subscription for this year) as possible. Without our members, there wouldn’t be a Society!

The meeting will be preceded by a meal, so please arrive at 6.00pm for the meal to be served by 6.30pm. While you should pay The Bruce Arms separately for any drinks, teas and coffees, puddings etc. that you order, you need to select your main course and pay DGASS by 7 May, so please get in touch with Ellen for menu and bank details if you haven’t already received them direct by email.

The agenda can be downloaded from this link. Even if you cannot join us for the meal, please come to the AGM itself at 7.30pm.

Mike Pendlowski, District Representative for District SC7 (Fife) and membership secretary for Scotland, attended our Thursday première and reported on behalf of NODA:

The Jury’s Out is a new piece, re-imagined, adapted and extended, using Sullivan’s music and libretti taken from the pen of WS Gilbert – adapted where necessary, and arranged and directed by Linda D Milne, the creator of tonight’s show. Act One tells the story of Richard and Sally, through a typically Gilbertian convoluted plot, outlining the events that led up to the trial in the well-known and loved Trial By Jury.

The Overture (compiled from Sullivan’s music by Willie Campbell) offered the chance to see a synoptic time-line of the events leading up to the first act.

Set, variously, in a village, on board MV Pinafore, and in a woodland glade, arias and choral numbers from the G&S canon are appropriately inserted into the story by a strong cast of principals assisted by a chorus singing with the gusto we expect from DGASS, and costumed as characters from a variety of the operas.

Sally – the Trial By Jury Plaintiff sung by Jennifer Murray-Smith – worked extremely well with Theodore Rankine-Fourdraine’s Richard Cor – better known to us as the Defendant from the same opera. Jennifer and Theo’s voices, as always, allow the lyrics to be enjoyed by all in a crystal clear manner. Angela was sweetly sung by Sinead Beveridge, whilst Sir Marmaduke was given the Robin Ożóg treatment that regular attendees of Gilbert & Sullivan in Fife will know and love. Robin’s Judge in Trial By Jury never fails to impress each and every time I see it! Henry, Richard’s sidekick in Act One, later to be his Defence Council in Act Two, was given a characterful performance by Kenneth Maciver – the first but hopefully not the last time we see him within the ranks of DGASS. Mike Enright filled the part of Dr Daly (and all things clergy related!) with his extremely effective acting ability, hopefully not to be typecast in the future for all ministerial roles. In Act One, Martin Tarr gave a rounded and full-flavoured take on the part of Adam, and, together with his assistant Cyril (Andrew Murray) formed a very believable duo. Andrew’s acting and especially his facial expressions added immensely to the character. These last two gentlemen morphed happily in to the roles of Usher and trainee Usher in Act Two. However, just when we thought Act One was about to come down, we were treated to a guest appearance by Frances McCafferty – the Society’s Honorary president – in the role of the “other woman”, in this incarnation, Katisha. Frances’ voice and stage presence forming a formidable conclusion to the first act!

Act Two set in a Court of Justice opens with a cameo appearance by Linda Milne as the Court Cleaner before the Courtroom is taken over by our Act One characters brought together in, essentially, a performance of Trial By Jury, but one with a difference, with three appropriate songs imported from some of the other operas. We find all the villagers from the first act reappearing as Members of the Jury and fellow citizens in the public gallery. It won’t come as a surprise to anyone that all works out happily ever after in the end. Technical aspects of the production were in the safe hands of John Allen, whilst direction by Linda Milne and Musical Direction by Eddie MacLennan ensured that tonight’s World Premiere performance reached the high standard which we all enjoyed.

You can register your interest by emailing Ellen.

Once upon a time there was a girl called Sally and a boy named Richard. They grew up as children together and became childhood sweethearts. Sally liked to help and watch her granny bake whilst Richard enjoyed playing with boats and anything nautical.

Did Richard follow his  career path and go to sea?

What did Sally do with granny’s cookery book?

Can you mend a broken heart?

What happened that they ended up in court?

The Jury’s Out is a new work created by Linda D Milne with music arranged by William Campbell.  It includes much-loved chorus numbers from The Sorcerer, HMS Pinafore, The Gondoliers, The Mikado and ending with Trial by Jury.

Don’t miss out on joining us on the Carnegie Hall stage for the première of this new show, which is on 13–15 February 2025. We look forward to seeing you when we start back on Wednesday 28 August, even if you can’t make it to the the workshop at Limekilns on the afternoon of Sunday 19 May, when all will be revealed!

Susan Kennedy, Regional Representative for District SC10, attended our Saturday matinée and reported on behalf of NODA:

As my first visit to Dunfermline to review a show this proved to be an enjoyable experience.

Although G&S this show had a modern feel and setting. The concept of a village hall and its users along with a group of dancers made it pertinent to today. Do you believe in Fairies? I certainly do! Combined with dialogue adapted to events of the time and modern dress the whole worked well. This is a funny story and was played with an emphasis on humour. Although dialogue and setting were adapted the music and singing were pure G&S.

I felt that the singing was of an excellent standard. All the principals were strong with many exceptional solos, duets and trios all performed within character. The chorus certainly handled the harmonies with style and complemented the principals. Well done to all, the band and your musical director, Eddie.

The group of dancers added a new dimension and were cleverly used more than once in Act 1. This was a clever production, carefully thought out to maximise impact without complicated set changes and furniture shifting with costume changes on stage. Well done Michael.

The experience was completed by the front of house staff set up as the W.I. of Thanolie selling raffle tickets and home-made goodies.

Thank you all for your hospitality.