A Century of Song

What a lovely way to celebrate being back in the theatre. 

This centenary of song was certainly a night to remember, with members new, young and stalwart all coming together to produce a varied and memorable programme.

In a classic Act 1, smartly dressed in black and red, the company opened with ‘The Cider Song’ from the comic opera, Les Cloches de Corneville performed in 1923 & 1932. 

Although I was unfamiliar with the song and the opera, it was certainly a lively, well-choreographed number to open the show, followed by a wonderful selection from popular Gilbert & Sullivan productions.

With DMTC’s experienced nod to Iolanthe in ‘Bow, Bow’, I was taken right back to my own school days of G&S productions. A beautifully sung ‘Poor Wandering One’ (Katy van der Burgh), and a model performance from Major General (John Neil) supported by a fabulous chorus, it felt like a great choice from Pirates of Penzance.

The two Mikado highlights were performed by the harmonic Three Little Maids (Rhona Johnstone, Anna Wilson and Katy van der Burgh) and featured a very comical and animated ‘Little List’ performed by Valerie Wilson, Audrey Marshall, Neil Webster and Neil Carruthers.

From Fiddler on the Roof, Kiss me Kate, The Merry Widow, Brigadoon, My Fair Lady and Carousel we were treated to tremendous solos by Neil Webster, Lindsay Nurney, Ren Forteath and Neil Carruthers.

A special mention goes to Cath Radcliffe who outstandingly shone in her entrancingly beautiful solos from The King and I and The Sound of Music.

The youngsters in the junior section also stepped up to the footlights with a rousing Do Ray Me to prove their worth as the inspired company of the future. 

Act 2, in colourful attire, brought even more sparkle to the production with excerpts from musicals still performed on the West End stages.

Anything Goes strongly featured Rhona Johnstone, Valerie Wilson, Amy McCreadie, Emma Thomas and Christy Anderson (the latter being lost from Hawick to Dumfries)

The Director, Stewart Cameron, also pulled out the stops to shine as MC in Cabaret and Hello, Dolly!

Nina Rennie, Alison Donnelly and Jane Johnston joined forces with Christy and Rhona (previously mentioned) to give us ‘Holier Than Thou’ from Nunsense.

Lindsay, Ren and Sharron Harper smashed their trio, ‘Make Him Mine’, from Witches of Eastwick while the men proved that the old favourite, ’There’s no Business Like Show Business’ from Annie get your Gun, can always engage an audience.

The company’s 2015 show The Adams Family was a massive success. It seemed only right that the show was featured and rightfully gave Anna Wilson a chance to shine in ‘Pulled’. Lindsay brilliantly led Jane, Valerie, Amy, Skye and Christy in ‘Death Is Just Around the Corner’.

The 9 to 5 and Calamity Jane sequence was loved by us all, but gave Rhona Johnstone her treasured opportunity in the iconic solo, ‘Secret Love’. 

What better finale to a wonderful evening of song than a sneak preview of the next big production for 2023, Chess.

Ren and Katy blew us away with the stunning duet, ‘I Know Him So Well’, while the Anthem, joined by Neil Webster and chorus, had us truly shouting for more! 

Bravo! Can’t wait for your next production DMTC.

Many thanks for a truly memorable evening and fantastic hospitality.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.