the smycms

The Smycms was an amateur musical society based in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Established for over 45 years they presented an annual show at the Church Hill Theatre in the city. 

CURRENT POSITION 

The Smycms have ceased to exist and as of 2016 no more will be treading the boards of the Church Hill Theatre. We are trying to organise a Smycms reunion for February 2018. The Frank Spencer Trio have re-formed and are preparing to perform  at the reunion as the half time entertainment. Legends in their own trousers, you can read their story at our sister site SONS OF SMYCMS . We are also compiling a list of on stage appearances of company members, it is on going but we have recently completed the years 1982 through to 1988, grateful thanks to A. Thomas for supplying scanned images of cast lists from old programs.

 

OUR HISTORY 

In 1963, Elizabeth Fyfe and Colin MacDonald were asked to form a Musical Group from the youth club at St. Michael’s Church, Slateford Road, Edinburgh – and The Smycms were born. The name stood for St Michael’s Youth Club Musical Section. As this was a bit long winded someone had the bright idea of turning it into an acronym which could be said out loud and from then on they would be known as ‘The Smycms’, with the advancement of the years, the youth club element of the society has gradually faded but the original acronym remains.

From modest beginnings in the church hall with Swingalong in 1963, ten years later in 1973 the company had moved to the more grander surroundings of Edinburgh’s Church Hill Theatre  to present the Edinburgh Amateur Premiere of Fiddler On The Roof. Since then, the company has gone from strength to strength, 

THE PRESIDENT

William A, Turnbull – 1980 – 1995

Bill as he was more commonly known had a 25 year association with The Smycms, 15 years as President, he was also advisor, helper and friend, he could often be seen Front of House during show week.

Elizabeth Fyfe – 1995 – 2013

Betty took over the reins of President when Bill Turnbull through ill-health had to give up his Presidency

THE COMMITTEE 

The Committee were responsible for making things run smoothly, well as smoothly as possible, from engaging a production team to supplying (and sometimes serving ) the tea and biscuits at rehearsals. They were also responsible for advertising, marketing, program design, ticket sales and would you believe it still find time to appear on stage.

 The Committee was made up of four company members and a Chairman,  and usually served a minimum of 3 years after which they may stand for re-election for a further term. The current Committee is made up of the following sucke… ehr stalwart individuals.

Chairman

Sadly with the untimely death of our Chairman Paul Findlay earlier this year, this position in the company is now vacant. Paul had been with the Smycms since their inception in 1963. He had a keen love for the group as an entity and for the individuals that made it up, even though the company changed from year to year. He’d seen a lot of changes since the beginning, but still felt strongly that the Smycms were the best Am-Dram group in Edinburgh, and worked innumerable hours to keep it that way.

 

 Treasurer

This position is closed.

 

 

Paul Whyte – Committee Member

Paul was the PR secretary, handling all the Smycms printed material, designing and arranging flyers, posters for issue to promote our productions. He also arranged the Programme, selling advertising and making sure all the necessary information was in the right place before it went into print. It was also usually Paul that would  accost you to buy a raffle ticket for our weekly fundraising draw (here’s how it worked – at rehearsals you paid £1 for a ticket and you got a cup of tea or coffee and biscuits and the chance to win a bottle of wine.)

 

 

 

Tony McDonald- Committee Member 

Tony is the Smycms Web Master and social secretary, spearheading and documenting many of the social events. Details can be found at  www.sonsofsmycms.wordpress.com

 

 

Committee Member – to be confirmed.

This position is closed.

 

Committee Member – to be confirmed.

This position is closed.

 

 

 

THE PRODUCTION TEAM

The Production Team took the words and notes of a script and magically turned them into a show that we were all proud of by the time it hit the stage. The three components of the Production Team were – Artistic Director, Musical Director and Choreographer.    

Artistic Director

The Artistic Director was in charge of the acting (Dahling) as well as managing the overall Production, arranging meetings with the other team members, as well as overseeing  the sound, lighting, props and much, much more, PHEW!!.

Musical Director

In charge of all the music and singing the Musical Director had the difficult task of taking a score and bringing it to life on the stage, during Show Week they could be found conducting the Orchestra in the Pit.

Choreographer

The Choreographer’s job was a tough one. In a professional company you can put together a dance and expect the dancers to learn it quickly. With an amateur company, the Choreographer had the duties of creating the dances but also of  teaching them, often to non dancers.

OUR PRODUCTION TEAM HISTORY

Artistic Director

1963 – 1993     Elizabeth Fyfe

1993 – 1994     Dolores Reed

1994 – 1966    Eric Burns

1996 – 2010    Laura Reed

2010 – 2011    Malcolm J Burnett

2011 – 2012   Ian Hunter

Musical Director 

1963 – 1997    Elizabeth Fyfe

1997 – 2005   Jerry Gregson

2005 – 2012 Alison Rushworth

Choreographer

1963 – 1993    Jeanette Fyfe

1993 – 1994    Juliet Bennet

1994 – 1999    June Geissler

1999 – 2001    Calum Ingram

2001 – 2002    Zoe Bellamy

2002 – 2004    June Giessler

2004 – 2008    Janice Bruce

2008 – 2010    Laura Proudfoot

2010 – 2011    Louise Heatly

2011 – 2012  Gemma Lockhart