All Singing and Dancing Performance of Grease by Dundee Schools' Music Theatre

I am just back home after attending a fun night out at the Whitehall Theatre. I had been tapping my toes to the thoroughly entertaining all singing and dancing performance of "Grease".

This was the third of the summer musicals performed in successive weeks by Dundee Schools' Music Theatre. This time it was the turn of the Back to Back older group of pupils and immediate FPs making their final appearance before heading off to pastures new.

The company maintained a high standard of singing and dancing with the chorus complementing the lead players. There was a strong standout performance from Michael Strachan, ex School Captain at Grove Academy who played Danny and Zoe Heggie who played Sandy.

Brilliantly Entertaining Performance of Joseph by DSMT

Last night my wife Rowena and I took our grand daughter to a stage musical. 

We had a most enjoyable night out as we were entertained by the very talented cast of Dundee Schools' Music Theatre. They were performing Andrew Lloyd -Webber and Tim Rice's, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat at the Whitehall Theatre.

The quality of the singing was excellent with standout performances from Zoe Heggie, Ava Hickey and Lucy Pedersen, the three narrators, who confidentally sang three part harmonies and Marcelli Guziewicz who very ably took centre stage as Joseph in dance, drama and song.

The choreographer should be congratulated for devising routines that made full use of the large company who danced and sang their hearts out on the extended stage, as well as singing and dancing their way up and down the aisles.

Every year, I attend DSMT performances, I think it will be hard to top or match that the following year, but truly the cast of Joseph have exceeded themselves and previous shows I have watched.

Making no concession to the age of the teenage performers involved, this was a polished and pacy performance that thoroughly deserved its enthusiastic reception and standing ovation at the end.

Joseph is being performed for the remander of the week Thursday 28 - Saturday 30 August 2014 7:30 pm at the Whitehall Theatre in Dundee. Catch it if you can. 

Book your tickets now or call Dundee City Box Office on 01382 434940

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.

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.