I would not like to say how long it is since I sang on stage but I was last involved with a production of “Fame” 15 years ago and a pantomime in which Geoff performed about 14 years ago but the last three days at the Alhambra Theatre Dunfermline has awoken a longing I thought had long gone.

Geoff has already said how much we enjoyed the Alhambra Alive night and after work today I went back for more. I understand during the morning and early afternoon the stage saw various dance performances. I appeared after three when visitors were being entertained with numbers from West Side Story. After a quick visit to the shops I popped in again before heading home and stayed until the grand sing off. Part of the attraction was the gorgeous voice of Kim Shepherd accompanied by Ali Moore on keyboards, Alan Condie on lead guitar and Lawrie McMillan on bass guitar, they performed ‘Get Here’, ‘Nobody Does it Better’, ‘How do I Live’ with an encore of ‘I Can’t Make You Love Me’. During her final number they were joined on stage by most of the Scottish Theatre Forum Productions original “We Will Rock You” cast including Mark Grieve, Susan Burnett, Glen McGill and Bobby Mitchell amongst others.

The rehearsal for the Big Sing Off started at 17-30 when some of the afore said cast of “We Will Rock You” changed in to costume. The pinnacle moments of the day was to be three numbers made famous by the late great Freddie Mercury and the phenomenon that was “Queen”, recently incorporated into that relatively new musical “W W R Y”, namely ‘I Want It All’, ‘We Will Rock You’ and ‘We Are The Champions’. Perhaps this chorus was not as large as the night before but if we were half as enthusiastic as this group I am very surprised we did not manage to blast the roof off the Theatre despite its great height. Those few people left to see this brilliant rendition ably lead by the versatile musician that is Alan Gibson were in for an early preview of the Carnegie Youth Theatres upcoming production due to be staged in the Carnegie Hall in February 2008 with the incredibly talented Andrew Gourlay in the leading role of Galileo. Andrew and the choir were almost upstaged by a very young lady in a fairy princess pink dress dancing around but like the troupers they are they carried on until she got swept away with the arm waving when she joined in, in perfect unison.

The open day however was about publicising the Alhambra and getting Fifer’s in to see the building and become aware of the plans hopes and dreams, many keen amateurs and some semi professionals have, for the future. This seems to have had the desired effect as over 1,500 people came in and noted their interest. If we can keep this momentum rolling we are well on the way of fulfilling something which could prove that Scotland and Fife has some well hidden talent and a venue with the Alhambra’s potential could attract all sorts of theatrical, musical and comedy from all over the world.

It must be said that Paul Gudgin, Mark Grieve and The Scottish Theatre Forum have gathered some very loyal and hardworking helpers whose work behind the scenes is not always noted and very seldom applauded. I trust this hidden army will with our support help guide us, Paul, Mark and the Alhambra forward so that we will be able to say “DO YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING” “WE WILL WE Will ROCK YOU!”  

Alhambra Alive Friday 30th December 2007