A MAJOR milestone awaits for members of Dumbarton People’s Theatre (DPT), as they prepare to return to the cherished venue for the first time in almost three years.

The Denny Civic Theatre has been closed since March 2020 due to the pandemic and, latterly, because of work to update the sound and lighting, as well as other audience facilities.

Now the theatre is reopening and members of the DPT are preparing to tread the boards once again as the group present The Memory of Water, a black comedy by Shelagh Stephenson.

Telling the story of three estranged sisters who meet to arrange their mother’s funeral, the plot examines how their memories of events differ as their secrets are revealed, while they are watched by the ghost of their dead mother.

Cast members include Siobhan Keane (Mary), Sammie Rodgers (Catherine) and Aileen Morton (Theresa). Other cast members include Debbie Chalmers, Luke Gregory and Andrew Russell, with direction by Siobhan Keane.

Looking ahead to the performances, DPT committee member Janette Barnes told the Reporter: “We’re looking forward to getting back on stage at the Denny Civic Theatre so very much.

“The Denny is a beautiful theatre and we are so lucky to have it in Dumbarton; there is nowhere else like it, so it will be very special to be able to return to the theatre after all the turmoil of the past few years.”

The DPT would usually stage a pantomime in the Denny Civic Theatre each Christmas but news of the building’s reopening came too late for 2022, hence the decision to stage a play instead. 

It will mark another step along the way for the organisation, which – like so many – had to resort to tactics like Zoom online meetings during the height of the Covid-enforced lockdowns.

Janette, who has been involved with the group since the 1960s, continued: “Although several events were organised in other venues to keep members together, nothing compared with the beautiful theatre and playing to a ‘live’ audience.”

“The cast are working very hard to bring the play to fruition and it’ll be a very special moment indeed. It’s very funny and we hope audiences will enjoy it.”

In the New Year the DPT’s 78th season will continue with two comedies: The Thirty Nine Steps and Ladies Day, so Dumbarton theatre goers have much to look forward to in the newly-refurbished Denny Civic Theatre. New members, backstage and on stage, are always welcome.

The Memory of Water takes to the stage on December 2 and 3, with the curtain rising at 7.30pm. Tickets, great value at £5 and can be obtained at the box office, McDermid’s Keystore or by emailing dumbartonpeoplestheatre@outlook.com.