Singing, Skating and Dancing Sensation from Dundee Schools Music Theatre Performing Starlight Express

On Friday night I attended a  very entertaining and professional performance of Starlight Express by Dundee Schools' Music Theatre (DSMT).

At a packed Gardyne Theatre, the very talented young players sang and danced their way through a series of lively routines. As a regular at these shows, this is what I have come to expect from DSMT. But on this occasion, the staging required the cast to roller skate as well. 

All the young players danced in their skates, sang in their skates and acted on their skates and in motion. In fact, exploiting a tricky loop down to and up from the orchestra pit had us on the edge of our seats.

Thank you DSMT for such a fun night at your music theatre..

Dundee Pupils Excel in Barnum at Dundee Rep

On Friday night I was at Dundee Rep where I thoroughly enjoyed a very entertaining and 'professional' performance of Barnum.

Senior pupils from our eight secondary schoools, who make up the company of Dundee Schools' Music Theatre, were the actors, singers and dancers who combined so wonderfully on stage.

Marceli Guziewicz played the demanding role of Phineas Taylor Barnum. He was on stage for most of the night with a confident presence and credible characterisation. Other stand out performers were Ava Hickey who played Charity Barnum, Jessica Sommerville who played the ringmaster and Tobenna Ogwuda who sang so brilliantly.

The company however all deserve praise for their dancing, singing and their juggling, clowning, acrobatics and other circus skills.

Even by the high standards of Dundee Schools' Music Theatre, this was an outstanding performance.

Guys and Dolls - Another Remarkable Performance from Dundee Schools' Music Theatre

Last night at the Gardyne Theatre, S3 and S4 pupils from Dundee Secondary Schools gave an entertaining, polished and toe tapping performance of the classic Broadway musical, "Guys and Dolls".

This heartwarming musical follows some loveable gangsters desparately trying to win the next big bet. But one gets more than he gambled for......! 

This is the first time I had seen "Guys and Dolls", although, as it progressed, I realised I was already familiar with the popular songs "Luck be a Lady Tonight" and "Sit Down You're Rocking the Boat".

Once again the pupils involved in Dundee Schools' Music Theatre (DSMT) have delivered a wonderful ensemble performance combined with some remarkable standout performances.

As one member of the audience remarked at the interval, DSMT are one of the jewels in Dundee's crown. 

Summer Holiday Supreme by Dundee Schools' Music Theatre

As we arrived at the Whitehall Theatre last night, the rain started again. We needn't have worried because we were 'going where the sun shines brightly, .... going where the sea is blue'.

We were there for the final show in the run of 'Summer Holiday' as performed by the multi-talented members of Dundee Schools' Music Theatre (DSMT).

After an indifferent summer, four London Transport bus mechanics went off to the the south of France in a double decker bus to have a holiday in the sun. Plus ca change!

The show maintained a lively pace with the indefatigable dancers keeping in time and in unison; particularly impressive since there were often 30 or more performers on the stage. Their performance was enhanced by the colourful period clothes and the groovy music from the band under the direction of Paul Clancy.

The chief singing parts were all very well cast and were ably supported by the chorus. I must mention Don, played by Jack Pedersen from The Ferry. He was one of the stand out singers and dancers with a good stage presence.


As I sat there with my grand daughter, I was reminded nearly forty nine years after the film Summer Holiday was released that, 
'And some day
When the years have flown
Darling, then we'll teach
The young one of our own'


The Megamix finale had the audience clapping and almost dancing in the aisles. During the curtain calls, the audience rose to offer a sustained standing ovation.

A great night of entertainment from a company of very talented singers and dancers; all outstanding ambassadors from our nine secondary schools and from our city.

CATS a Remarkable Performance from Dundee Schools' Music Theatre

On Friday night I attended a spell binding performance of CATS at Dundee Rep performed by the Senior Group of students of the Dundee Schools' Music Theatre.

The musical score by Andrew Lloyd Webber with words based on Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T S Eliot; does not feature any spoken dialogue. This makes the show very demanding of the company of performers because it comprises two Acts of almost non stop singing and dancing. 

The performers drew and maintained my attention with impressive ensemble dancing and cameo athletic and balletic solos. The lead voices were confident and expressive and were well supported by the other players. The costumes were brilliant supporting the feline movements of the dancers in the creation of the personas of the various 'cats'.

I expect to see more than a few of these performers, on stage in the Rep again but next time as part of the professional repertory company.

Overall this was another very impressive performance from our own Dundee School's Music Theatre. 

Toe Tapping Performance of 'Our House'

Last night I enjoyed a toe tapping performance of 'Our House' by the the Back-to-Back group of Dundee Schools' Music Theatre. 


'Our House' is a romantic comedy which draws on the songbook of Madness. It proved to be a brilliant vehicle to demonstrate the outstanding dancing and singing of this young ensemble. 


Back-to-Back is the group of young performers who have left our schools in the last year. This was their swansong four night run at the Rep; an apt testament to their multiple-talents.

Magnficicent Production of Crazy for You by DSMT

On Friday evening I had the pleasure of attending the latest inspired performance from Dundee Schools Music Theatre (DSMT) at the Whitehall Theatre.

This relatively 'new' musical, from the 1990s, weaves together a plot about a New York playboy who is sent to Deadlock, Nevada to revive a dying theatre with well loved songs composed by George and Ira Gershwin in the 1930s.

I was really impressed with two leads who not only possessed outstanding singing voices but also danced well and had dramatic poise. The rhythm and synchronicity of the company of dancers was admirable as they powered their way through a variety of song and dance routines.

I hope that the SNP administration on the City Council do not try to cut this veritable 'jewel in the crown' of the Education Service in Dundee. Ominously, when I invited the Convener of Education, Liz Fordyce, to declare her support for DSMT at the last Education Committee meeting, she declined to do so. I think it would be crazy for you and me if the SNP led council were to disinvest in the performing arts in our schools.

Will SNP Keep Dundee Schools Music Theatre?

On Friday evening I attended the Dundee Rep to see 'Return to the Hidden Planet' which is the latest lively and thoroughly entertaining musical from Dundee Schools' Music Theatre (DSMT). The show loosely draws on Shakespeare's The Tempest and inserts some well known pop songs and dancing. These song and dance routines were led by some outstanding singers and dancers. It was brilliant.

DMST uniquely draws its performers from all of Dundee's nine secondary schools. This particular performance featured the Back to Back company of young people whom I recognised from some of the previous shows. There are three other DMST companies that feature pupils from first year pupils in Secondary School to the fifth and sixth formers. Each of the four groups rehearse for an annual production whose quality and professionalism we have come to appreciate and celebrate. Next week (25-28 August 2010) it's the turn of S3 and S4 pupils who will be performing Godspell at The Space at the Kingsway Campus of Dundee College.

I am very proud of our Dundee Schools' Music Theatre, particularly the way it fosters and showcases learning through dance, singing, acting and stage management. It has proved to be a tremendous vehicle for building the confidence and skills of many of our secondary school pupils from across the city.

I hope that at the Education Committee on Monday evening, the Convener, Liz Fordyce, will confirm that our celebrated Dundee Schools' Music Theatre is not on her list of proposed cuts in Education in the City.