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..

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. 

Bob Servant Returns for a Christmas Special 13 December 2013

Gardyne Theatre presents - Bob Servant Returns

Friday 13th December 2013 @ 7.30pm Gardyne Theatre

 

A special one-off homecoming show celebrating the world of local hero Bob Servant. Jonathan Watson (Bob Servant Independent’s Frank) and special guest will be bringing to life the unique world of the Bob Servant Emails.

Followed by a live Q and A with Bob Servant creator Neil Forsyth and Jonathan Watson.

There will also be a book and DVD signing after the event.

 

Tickets Full Price £10 Concession £8

 

Link to Dundee City Box Office

 

Broughty Opera Celebrating 90 Years and Performing 90th Spectacular - Gardyne Theatre 24, 25 and 26 April 2013

Broughty Ferry Amateur Operatic Society are celebrating their 90th birthday this year.

To mark this occasion they will be performing a "90th Spectacular" in the Gardyne Theatre on Wednesday 24th, Thursday 25th and Friday 26th April 2013. There will be singing and dancing from various shows over the past 90 years.

This is a significant milestone for Broughty Opera who have made and continue to make a very positive contribution to the musical life of our community.

Performances of the "90th Spectacular" show start at 7.30pm and tickets - £12 - are available from any company member or the City Box Office telephone 01382 434940.

Links
Broughty Ferry Opera website
Broughty Ferry Opera on Facebook

Bob Servant Independent Preview at the Gardyne Theatre

Panel discussion and q and a

I was delighted to be invited to the the BBC preview of two of the Bob Servant Independent episodes at the Gardyne Theatre. The reality earlier tonight didn't disappoint; in fact it exceeded my expectations. 

Neil Forsyth's comedic creation has been transported from the page and radio to the TV screen by BBC Scotland. This new series focuses on Bob's campaign to be elected as MP for Broughty Ferry in a by-election. 

In the preview of these first two episodes, Bob Servant is 'broughty' to life as he and Broughty Ferry are centre stage. I won't say much more as I don't want to reveal the story line. But on this showing, I think Bob Servant. the Independent candidate, would certainly have livened up our local elections in the Ferry last May and challenged me on canine issues.

The Bob Servant Independent series of six half hour programmes will be coming to our TV screens soon on BBC2 Scotland and BBC Four.

Free Tickets for Preview of Bob Servant Independent BBC TV Comedy Series Thurs 10 Jan 2012 Gardyne Theatre

Broughty Ferry’s infamous son, Bob Servant, has made it onto TV screens and to celebrate there will be an exclusive preview screening on January 10th 2013 at The Gardyne Theatre.

Be amongst the first to see Brian Cox bring Bob to life in the first two episodes of Bob Servant Independent, BBC Scotland’s new series for BBC Four. The evening will be hosted by broadcaster Janice Forsyth and will include a Q&A session with actor Jonathan Watson, who plays Bob’s long suffering campaign manager, author Neil Forsyth and producer Owen Bell.

Tickets are free and are available from the Dundee City Box Office from Thursday December 20th. Either in person (City Square or Gardyne Theatre Box Office) or online at www.dundeebox.co.uk

Terms & Conditions: Over 18’s. Maximum 2 tickets per application. 
Doors open 6.15pm. Screening begins 7.00pm

Les Miserables the Best - Dundee Schools' Music Theatre 29 August - 1 September 2012

Lovers of music theatre may not agree on which is the best musical of all time, but surely Les Miserables must be up there near the top of most of their lists? In my opinion, 'Les Mis' has it all: an epic narrative, snatches of humour and in the end redemption and hope as well as a rousing musical score and songs with memorable lyrics. 

All this presents a considerable challenge to an amateur company like Dundee Schools' Music Theatre (DSMT). My younger daughter was in the last DSMT production nine years ago at the Whitehall Theatre. That production was a triumph. I wondered whether they could pull it off again?

I was not disappointed in the performance of 'Les Mis' on Friday night at the Gardyne Theatre; in fact this production surpassed my expectations and the 2003 performance. Sorry Daughter! 

The DSMT cast gave the audience the performance of their young lives. It was truly an astonishingly accomplished all round performance. I particularly noticed the increase level of participation by young men in the cast and the improved solo, small group and unison singing compared with the class of 2002/3. 

In such an engaging and energetic ensemble performance, it seems almost wrong to pick out a favourite moment but I will. The rousing and rumbustious 'Master of the House' was a superb blend of singing, dancing and well timed pantomime like delivery by Thenardier and Madame Thenardier. They provided a snatch of humorous relief between the darker themes woven into the script.  

On the staff side, I noticed that this time Richard Waghorn was the Conductor of the Orchestra whereas he took a leading role on stage in the 2003 production. In the Orchestra I also noticed three members of the Mainds family.

A great night out from of the talented young people drawn from each one of our nine secondary schools. Their talents has been nurtured in our schools and by the staff leading and supporting this eleven month extra curricular programme of rehearsals leading up to the DSMT show nights.

The DSMT done good.