MAMA Revue 2013
Musselburgh’s amateur musicals society kicks off 2013
A scene from Half a Sixpence, the Musselburgh Amateur Musical Association’s April 2012 production. Photo © Cordelia Toennies
By Thom Dibdin
It’s a dark week in Edinburgh’s theatres, this mid week in January. The pantomimes are all done and the first Lyceum production of the year is yet to come.
For that spark of energy you have to turn to the local amateur companies. The Musselburgh Amateur Musical Association are the first out on stage in the new year, with their annual revue opening on Thursday for a three night run at the Brunton.
If the format looks to be the same, with everyone in the company getting their chance to shine, it’s all-change behind the scenes. Donna Glass, who has recently moved back into the area, is taking over as director while Kirstey Johnstone is to be this year’s MD.
Commenting on this year’s show, Glass says: “The Revue 2013 is a real mixture of genres. My particular highlight is a tribute to the Military Wives and our boys in the forces. Something I think is very close to all of our hearts. I’m sure it will be a very moving part of the show.”
The beauty of the format, which takes in a mix of pop, dance, show-tunes, ballads and old favourites, is not just that it should provide something to entertain every audience member. It is also a mix which can be adapted to the abilities of all the company who are, as Glass points out, “a very talented and diverse group of people”.
If Glass is new to directing the company, she is very certain about what makes it tick: “MAMA’s success is down to a core group of very enthusiastic people who love the company with a passion. Many of the members have been involved for decades and MAMA is a very important part of their lives. They nurture their younger members and keep them involved.”
Licence to thrill
This year’s song-list, at least the bits which MAMA are ready to go public on, include songs from Beauty & The Beast, We Will Rock You and Phantom of The Opera. Homage will be paid to songwriters Burt Bacharach, Dougie MacLean, Gary Barlow and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Taking on that licence to thrill, there will also be a special Bond Theme assortment.
Not specifically advertised, but almost certain to make an appearance will be a few hits from Annie. The company are staging the smash hit musical at the Brunton in April and as spokesman Ali Macdougall told the Annals: “The Revue is a fun way for us all to raise the funds required to put on our annual April show. It means our audiences get a taster of things to come, see the company in all their glory plus it helps towards the cost of putting on a successful show”.
And it is those audiences who Glass knows are the final key part of the company. As she says: “We have many members of the local community who give their time to come and help us with the production. Mama´s success continues because of all the people who support us and attend our shows.”
The MAMA Annual Revue: Brunton Theatre, Ladywell Way, Musselburgh; Thurs 17 – Sat 19 January, 2013; 7.30pm (also 2pm Sat)
Tickets £10 (£9) from the Brunton Theatre box office: 0131 665 2240.
The MAMA producion of Annie: Brunton Theatre, Ladywell Way, Musselburgh; Tue 2 – Sat 6 April 2013.
Brunton website: www.bruntontheatre.co.uk
M.A.M.A. website: www.mamaonline.co.uk
ENDS
i am in MAMA and its a credit to Musselburgh