Theatre group the Mummers are returning to the stage for the first time since the start of the pandemic, writes Alasdair Ferguson

The club haven’t been able to perform since 2019 and are set to make their return with Can’t Stop the Beat at the Dumbarton Masonic Hall on May 13 and 14.

After their prolonged absence due to Covid restrictions, the Mummers are looking forward to inviting audiences back to enjoy a performance packed full of musical classics.

Speaking to the Reporter, the Mummers vice-president Craig Connon, said: “I think everybody has missed it so much.

“That will push us to both sing and also perform for audiences and I think we’re really keen just to get back for our audiences.

“We know how much people enjoy live theatre and live performances and how much you miss that – and I know performing for the local community is what we pride ourselves on.”

Despite the easing of restrictions, Craig, who is a head teacher, says there has been a nervousness about putting on a show due as the group had planned to do Sister Act in May 2020 but had to cancel the production due to lockdown.

The Mummers hold their rehearsals in Dalmuir and have performed in numerous venues across Clydebank and Dumbarton over the past four decades. The group members are now looking forward to getting back up on stage once again.

The 41-year-old said: “For some people it is the only theatre they can get to as they don’t do the travelling in to Glasgow and go to the big theatres.

“If we can do it in an affordable way, people can get out there and enjoy musicals and enjoy hearing, singing and everything else that goes along with it.

“We’ve really missed it and we know our audience members have as well.”

The Mummers are offering a big mixture of songs ranging from classics from Hairspray, Little Shop of Horrors and Cats to some newer musicals such as Billy Elliot and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.

Craig added: “There’s lots of different musicals that hopefully people will enjoy some old favourites and some new ones.”