Downfield Musical Society Dundee Archive Page

21/07/2023

We have been asked to post a list of our productions throughout the years so here it is.....

19/01/2021

NODA PROGRAMME AND POSTER COMPETITION AWARDS
Over the years DMS has been very successful in the National Operatic and Dramatic Association Programme and Poster competition including three national winners. The image brings all the award certificates together with the national winners at the top.

18/01/2021

2020 - SEARCHING FOR CINDERS - A VIRTUAL PANTO
In 2020 all shows were postponed and rescheduled as theatres around the country closed due to the Covid19 pandemic. As a result, DMS decided to produce a virtual Panto called “Searching for Cinders”. The production was filmed around the city of Dundee and was the story of Cinderella who is looking for where her Panto was to be performed. The filming had to be done under strict Covid rules. Filming took place in Santa’s mysterious garden; Templeton Woods; Dundee City Limits; The doors of the Caird Hall in Dundee City Square; the gates of the dry dock of the RRS Discovery; Dundee Airport and The Whitehall Theatre. The film is available on both on Facebook where it has had over 6500 views and on YouTube where it has had over 2100 views

18/01/2021

1972 - KING’S RHAPSODY
In 1972 DMS presented “King’s Rhapsody” in the Whitehall Theatre
The musical was first produced at the Palace Theatre, London, on 15 September 1949 and ran for 841 performances, surviving its author Ivor Novello, who died in 1951 It starred Novello in the title role. King's Rhapsody tells the story of the king of Murania (known as Nikki), who twenty years before the play begins had renounced his succession to the throne for love of his mistress, Marta Karillos, who, nevertheless, had been a good influence in his life. On the death of his father, the King, Nikki is persuaded by his mother, Queen Elana, to return from exile in Paris and marry the young Princess Cristiane of Norseland, and so provide the throne with an heir. Characteristically Nikki is not at the palace to greet his bride-to-be when she arrives, and later, when he meets her for the first time, she is in her simple national costume and he takes her to be a lady-in-waiting. She does not disillusion him and they fall in love. Already Cristiane, whom Nikki believes he has not met, has angered him by demanding that he shall banish his mistress, and later outrages convention by inviting Marta Karillos to the Court Ball, so that she may take stock of the woman who is likely to be her enemy. Nikki revenges himself by opening the ball by dancing with Marta. Nikki awaits news of the birth of his son while making merry at Marta's villa, but when an angry mob breaks in seeking Marta's life it is the young queen who saves her by saying she is her dear friend. Once Murania has an heir to the throne, the government is eager to be rid of Nikki, who has never been popular with them, and, with Queen Elana on their side, the King is prevailed upon to abdicate in favour of his infant son. He bids farewell to his now much-loved young wife, and goes into exile. Ten years later, in Paris, he is informed by the Ambassador for Murania teat he must not set foot in his own country, or make any attempt to see his son, who is about to be crowned king. But Nikki is determined to witness his son's coronation and to see once again his beloved wife, and returns from exile, risking death. During the impressive ceremony in the Cathedral, Queen Cristiane, knowing secretly that Nikki is there, drops a white rose on the altar steps. When all have departed, Nikki picks up the rose, and is seen, a lonely figure, kneeling at the High Altar as the curtain falls.
DMS’s “King’s Rhapsody” was directed by Lynn Smith and musically directed by Johntone Ralston and choreographed by Esther Clarke. The cast included Roger Buist as Count Egon Stanieff; Ann Wallace as Princess Cristiane; Margaret Stewart as Queen Elena of Murania; Isobel Ross as Madame Koska; Gordon Angus as King Peter of Norseland; Eain Stewart as Vanescu; Lamont Forbes as Jules; Stella Wilson as Marta Karillos; Jack McDonald as Volkoff; Lynn Smith as Nikki; Kenneth Mathieson as The Boy King; Bill Spalding as Mr Trontzen; Patricia Hardie as Princess Hulda; Carol Knight as Princess Kirsten; William Bell as Tke Archbishop; Olive Reeves as Countess Olga Varsov; Olive Gibson as Countess Vera Lemainken; William Bell as First Rough; Ron Wylie as Second Rough; and Owen McGuire as Third Rough. The programme is attached.

18/01/2021

18/01/2021

2019 - JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
In 2019 , DMS’s panto was “Jack and the Beanstalk”. Over the years, up to this show, Jack has climbed 10 beanstalks and conquered the giant every time.
This “Jack and the Beanstalk” was DMS’s final show before government restrictions relating to Covid19 closed down all theatres in the Scotland. All future proposed DMS productions were postponed and rescheduled to be staged late 2021 to 2023.
The programme for this panto is attached which gives full information of who took part.

18/01/2021

2019 - DMSYouth DISNEY'S MY SON PINOCCHIO JR.
2019 - DMSYouth HONK! JR.
After the success of their first 2 years DMSYouth’s third season shows were “Disney's My Son Pinocchio Jr” and Honk! Jr. “Pinocchio “ (directed by Graeme Neil Smith and choreographed by Rebecca Waghorn ) was the first act and was and “Honk!” (directed and choreographed by Rebecca Waghorn )was the second act. The show ran for three performances in the Whitehall Theatre. Musical director was Marlowe Simpson.
The programme is attached for full details of the large cast.

18/01/2021

2015 - AN EVENING OF CABARET
In 2015 the “Cabaret Club” was “reopened” in the Starlight Showrooms for 2 performances.

17/01/2021

1986 - THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE
In 1986, DMS presented the Broadway version of “The Pirates of Penzance” in the Whitehall Theatre. This version of the Gilbert and Sullivan classic opened in the Delacorte Theatre on Broadway on 15 July, 1980: transferred to Uris Theatre, 8 January, 1981 and then to the Minskoff Theatre, 15 July, 1980. Then opened in the
Lyric Theatre, London on 14 November, 1982.
The pirates of Penzance (a rather tender-hearted band, made up exclusively of orphans and unable to harm anyone of similar background) are celebrating Frederic's coming of age and subsequent release from his apprenticeship to them. He joined the pirates as a child owing to a mistake by Ruth, his nursemaid, who misheard his father's instructions to apprentice him to a pilot. She has remained with Frederic ever since and now harbours a desire to marry him.
However, Frederic has met and fallen in love with Mabel whose sisters the pirates have claimed as their future brides. Their father, the General, is horrified at this prospect and declares himself to be an orphan, knowing that this will effect their immediate release. As an ex-pirate, Frederic now feels that his duty is to society and he wastes no time in assembling a police force to capture the pirates. He is, therefore, dismayed when he learns from Ruth and the Pirate King that, due to the fact that his birthday is on 29th February and only occurs once every four years, he has in effect only had five birthdays; the terms of his apprenticeship state that he is bound to the pirates until his 21 st birthday.
Consequently, feeling that his loyalty is now to the pirates again, he reveals that the General is not really an orphan. The Pirate King is furious that he has been tricked and he plots to capture the General, his daughters and the policemen and take his revenge. This task proves no problem to his band of men until the Sergeant demands that they surrender in the name of Queen Victoria. This is too much for them and they yield to the request. However, as they are about to be taken into custody Ruth reveals that they are not really pirates at all, but noblemen who have gone astray. On hearing this, the General orders their release, restores them to their rightful ranks and offers them his daughters in marriage.
The DMS "Pirates" was directed by Lynn Smith, musically directed by Bill Sinclair, and choreographed by Christine Low. The cast included Neil Stewart as Frederic; Graham Simpson as The Pirate King; Ann Wallace as Ruth; Laura Ferrie as Mabel; Graeme Neil Smith as Major General Stanley; Christine Low as Edith; Elizabeth Anderson as Isobel; Heather McQuillan as Kate; Ewan McDyer as Samuel; and Ian C Anderson as The Sergeant.
There are very few photographs of this show but the programme and press articles have been attached.

17/01/2021

2003 - MADE FOR MUSIC - 75TH ANNIVERSARY PRODUCTION
In 2003 DMS celebrated their 75th anniversary staging a one-night show in the Carid Hall called “Made for Music”. 1757 people attended the performance, which was a record for the Society for a one-night show. The audience was welcomed by the McKenzie Caledonian pipe band in the City Square as they entered the Caird Hall and the Society was honoured with a pre-show civic reception in the City Chambers with a congratulatory speech by Lord Provost, John Letford. The Society President, Helen Wylie replied. “Made for Music” was devised by Graeme Neil Smith and Paul Clancy and directed by Graeme Neil Smith, Lynn MacFarlane and Roger Buist, musically directed by Paul Clancy and choreographed by Christine low and Leigh Caird. Over 50 Musicals and 90 songs in one show! The programme is attached for full cast and content details.

17/01/2021

1983 - DICK WHITTINGTON
In 1983, DMS’s panto was “Dick Whittington”. Up until 2019 the Society has staged 9 “Dick Whittingtons”. The press published an article on Sinclair Ross who played the Dame (Sarah the Cook) in this panto and his transformation from daily life to panto dame and this is included as is the programme which gives full information of who took part.