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.

Our final rehearsal for the concerts on 15/16 September will be on Wednesday 13 September, at the usual time of 7:30pm and replacing the Iolanthe rehearsal, with preliminary rehearsals on Sunday 3 September at 2:30pm in the Gelert Hall (behind the church) and on Sunday 10 September at 7:00pm (note the change!)

Meanwhile, don’t forget to sell the tickets that Anne gave you, and let her know how many you’ve sold for each concert so she can keep an eye on the numbers – wouldn’t it be lovely to have a full house!

Apart from the concert and show dates, plans are afoot for three social activities:

• On Saturday 16 September at 5:00pm, a pre-concert meal at the Bruce Hotel, Limekilns for participants and friends. Book with Jack Archibald soon!
• On Friday 8 December, at 6:30pm for 7:00pm, our usual Christmas Night Out at the Pitbauchlie House Hotel. Sign-up sheets at rehearsals.
• A re-run of our successful Anniversary Tea on Sunday 21 April 2024. Note that this time it won’t be on the Saturday because other exciting things are planned for that weekend – details to follow!

And don’t forget to check with Ian Anderson to pick your number(s) and register your interest in the Bonus Ball competition. Only £1/week for each number for a bit of fun and a potential £20 win, and last year Ian made £300 for Society funds.

This is what greeted members and guests at our much-delayed 50th Anniversary tea, which was held at the Pitbauchlie House Hotel on Saturday 22 April 2023. We sat down at wittily-devised G&S-themed tables – thanks to all the creative members of Sinead Black’s team:

Not only did Sinead organise the event splendidly, but she also acted as Mistress of Ceremonies. Guests who were introduced included two of our founder members, Ann Duly and Robin Ożóg, who duly cut the cake after Robin had spoken most movingly of our history and what it had meant to him to be involved with the Society. Do take time to read what he said, which you can find at this link.

Stuart McCue-Dick, Councillor for NODA (Scotland), was our guest, both to speak and to present a record number of long-service awards. Illustrated at this link is how we totalled 315 years of NODA service! Presentations acknowledging specific service were also made to Gwyneth Kirby in memory of Howard, who had laboured valiantly front of house, and to Mary Kidd, a former vice-president and orchestra convenor. And, of course, no G&S gathering these days is complete without an appropriate ode from our G&S makar, Kerry Black, which you can read at this link!

Grateful thanks to everyone who took part on the day or worked behind the scenes to make the event such a success, and especially to Sinead. And of course we are eternally grateful to Val McManus our resident photographer who has helped us fix the fugitive moment! Val had also put together the archive material presentation projected during the Pirates overture, and this formed a backdrop to the tea: you can enjoy it again at this link.

And grateful thanks to everyone who came and supported. You can see below that they enjoyed themselves! [The order is fairly random, based on Val’s walkabout round the room, with some artefacts of the uploading process, and we hope that everyone has been identified correctly. All comments to the webmaster, please!]