Mike Pendlowski attended our Saturday matinée and reported on behalf of NODA:

Dunfermline G&S Society take to the stage, in person, once again – the first time since HMS Pinafore in February 2020. This time, they are presenting a performance, in concert style, of Princess Ida, sadly not one of the more frequently performed G&S operas, albeit with wonderful melodies and the usual Gilbertian topsy-turveydom of a plot. In fact to quote a gentleman sitting behind me in the audience, having read the very complete synopsis in the programme, “The story’s bloody complicated, isn’t it!”

First up, we meet the pompous King Hildebrand, played with suitable swagger by Martin Tarr, ably joined by his son and friends, namely Hilarion (Alex Gunn), Cyril (Nathan MacAuley-Dicks) and Florian (Matthew Sielewicz-Stanhope). Hilarion, progressing his father’s lead in to the plot, gives a very competent rendition of “Ida was a twelve month old” – just to further augment the convoluted nature of that which we are about to experience. We are joined by the menacing King Gama (Gordon Horne), Princess Ida’s father, together with his three sons Arac (Zorbey Turkalp), Guron (Andrew Campbell) and Scynthius (Paul Graham). The latter three boisterous buffoons excel, particularly in the Act Three stripping song, in which several pieces of armour in turn are “gently” removed by members of the ladies chorus.

Act Two brings us in to Castle Adamant, the ladies’ university itself. Suzanne Horsburgh portrays Lady Psyche, Professor of Humanities, as a person with whom you would be foolish to argue. This thought, however, has not reached Lady Blanche, Professor of Abstract Science (Liz Landsman), whose penchant for using ten words when one would do is evident throughout. Melissa, Lady Blanche’s daughter (Sinead Black) enters and joins Lady Blanche in a beautifully sung duet “Now Wouldn’t You Like to Rule the Roast”. A modicum of awkward cross-dressing ensues before we have the entry of the title character played by Gillian Robertson. Normally, when I report on Gillian’s performance I have to revert to adjectives such as first-class and flawless. Not so this time, I’m afraid. Here, I have to say that Gillian raised the bar to extreme heights – her performance of “Minerva” was exquisite, and her character, in general, was unassailable. Well done Gillian! Minor characters who must also receive a mention are Sacharissa (Rachel Allan), Chloe (Morag Riley) and Ada (Clare White). These three dependable “Girl” Graduates were put to good use when stage dressing required setting or striking, or one of Hilarion’s clan required a dance partner!

The Dunfermline G&S chorus never failed to achieve. Seated on audience level, either side of the action, they were kept busy with the choral requirements – so essential in a G&S opera.

Director Rae Lamond deserves full praise for an inventive production, bearing in mind the use of two differing production venues, which, necessarily, required minimal use of set pieces, but the use of heraldic banners helped to place Acts Two & Three. Musical Director Willie Campbell also brought out the singing to a high level for both experienced and inexperienced cast alike. The Company as a whole was provided with excellent backing by Carol Madden (Accompanist).

Well done DGASS! Look forward to seeing your fully staged production of Pirates of Penzance next February!

The 52nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Dunfermline Gilbert and Sullivan Society will be held on Wednesday 18 May 2022 at 7.30pm in person at Limekilns Parish Church and also via Zoom. The link will be emailed to members. The agendas may be downloaded from this link.

We were saddened at a recent rehearsal to learn of the sudden and unexpected death on 29 November 2021, aged 76, of Geoff Strong, a long-standing member who was one of our Princess Ida team. Our chair, Morag Riley, writes:

Geoff Strong joined DGASS in 1990 and his first performance was HMS Pinafore. Since then he has sung in every show the society has put on, as well as many concerts and carol-singing. He was truly a chorus man, putting his heart and soul into every performance. His stage presence was exuberant, to say the least.

But Geoff was more than that. As Publicity Manager, he was the face of DGASS throughout the years from the days when we would take part in the annual Hobbies Exhibition in the Glen Pavilion, to more recent promotions around Dunfermline, including at the Kingsgate shopping centre. So many people have been delighted to be serenaded by Geoff as he was publicising our latest show. Many were won over by his infectious good humour and encouraged to buy tickets, or even to join the society.

Actually, Geoff was liable to burst into song at the slightest provocation, not only G&S, but maybe something from The Desert Song. He would do this in any location from street to church. This is a memory common even to people who had only recently met him.

If you were new to the Society, Geoff would be the first to greet you and introduce you around. You never felt a stranger when he was there. He was interested in people, and always made a point of finding out about you, remembering your story too. Even those whose only interaction with Geoff was over Zoom were charmed with his quirky show-related artefacts.

Geoff will be missed by us all, and he has left a hole that will be difficult to fill. So many members have fond memories of being on stage with him. He was a one off. Just being around him made you feel happy. I’d like to think that being around us made him happy too. RIP Geoff – we will miss you.

The headline image comes from our 2020 show programme. Here are some more images of Geoff:

We were greatly encouraged to hear at last night’s rehearsal that, with the exception of one minor part, we now have a complete cast of principals for Princess Ida.

You’ll see from the cast list at this link that several principals who have previously performed with the Society are back after a period of absence, and we are delighted to welcome new faces and fresh voices, many from across the Forth. It promises to be a very well-sung show!

Rae will be finalising the chorus placements in the very near future so, if you or your friends are hesitating about joining in the fun, you need to make that decision very soon, and make contact with Rae today.

The 51st Annual General Meeting of the Dunfermline Gilbert and Sullivan Society was held on Wednesday 19 May 2021. Because of the coronavirus lock-down, the meeting was conducted on-line by Zoom, and 22 current members successfully logged in.

The Finance Manager’s report, having been circulated before the meeting, was discussed and accepted, the Chair’s report (which will be circulated to members) was discussed, and the Management Committee proposal that the annual subscription remain at £120 (£10/month by standing order) was accepted unanimously with one abstention.

The forthcoming Zoom production of The Mikado was discussed. The March Zoom pantomime, The Merryman and His Maid, written by Robin Ożóg, was widely regarded as being highly successful. The invaluable contributions to both productions of Robin Ożóg (Director), Willie Campbell (Musical Director) and Martin Tarr (Technical Manager) were acknowledged by all. The Wednesday Social evenings, each rounded off by one of Robin’s quizzes, have been much appreciated by participants.

It was hoped that the 2022 production of The Pirates of Penzance would go ahead as planned, but it was acknowledged that there is still uncertainty about likely restrictions associated with the pandemic. [It has since been necessary to postpone the production till 2023. A semi-staged performance of Princess Ida is being undertaken instead.]

The Chairman (Morag Riley), Finance and Ticket Sales Manager (Anne Dolbear) and Programme Manager (John Allen) were re-elected, and Mark Cecil re-appointed as Accounts Examiner.

A very few of our older members will remember Music and Movement, a BBC schools radio series that (I’m reliably informed) ran for 35 years until 1969. As it says elsewhere “an important aspect of the primary school curriculum was exercise and coordination”. What is true for wee ones is just as true for those of maturer years who want to give of our best for the forthcoming show!

So that we can better link Music with Movement, Rae’s plan is to start on the floor earlier in the season than has been our practice, and to rehearse music and actions together. The starting date for this is Wednesday 15 September, when we will start work on the Opening Chorus of Act 1. If you can learn the words by then, so much the better. And don’t forget to continue to “search throughout the panorama” for anyone who might be persauded to join our ranks for some weekly G&S fun.

Are you one of those with fond memories of performing a semi-staged version of Princess Ida in 2012. Or did you miss out? Either way, as you’ll read in the post on our home page, there’s an opportunity to enjoy Rae’s production from the inside next February.

Details are still to be finalised, but one possibility discussed is to have a technical rehearsal on Thursday 17 February, with a dress rehearsal the next day and two performances on Saturday 19 February.

We need chorus and soloists, and this is an excellent opportunity for people new to G&S to get involved, as well as giving experienced performers the chance to participate in a fantastic operetta that’s not performed as much as the others. Ask around your musical friends and involve folk from other societies.

We will be rehearsing the music at 7.30pm on Wednesdays, starting on 25 August. Do come along to our new rehearsal venue, which is Limekilns Parish Church (8 Church Street, Limekilns KY11 3HT). You won’t have to knock on the front door, as it will be left open for ventilation!

Parking at the rear of the church is now limited, but there is plenty of parking either in front of the church or at the green on the front, access through Church Lane. If anyone is coming by public transport, we can arrange transport from Inverkeithing/Ferry Toll.

Note that you will be able to borrow a vocal score if you do not have one, and that, in common with other musical groups, we shall expect members to wear masks when moving around and to use sanitising gel. Before you come, do please read this linked document for guidance on what we’ve done to keep you safe and the part you’ve to play.

It’s a new venue, it’s a different opera, and these are strange times, but two things that won’t change are the welcome that you’ll get and the fun you’ll have.