The Smycms

Our 2011 production - “EUROBEAT!”, the glorious celebration of everything Eurovision, heralds the dawn of the interactive musical as the audience vote for their favourite song!. Eurobeat offers everyone the chance to leap out of the closet and give… the UK a genuine opportunity to win Europe’s greatest cultural collaboration once more! 

We are moving from our usual slot of April at the Church Hill Theatre, Morningside, Edinburgh to February. 

The Production Team

The production team take the words and notes on the pages of a script and magically turn them into a show we’re all proud of by the time it hits the stage. The three components of our production team are the Artistic Director, Musical Director and Choreographer.

Malcolm J Burnett, Artistic Director

Malcolm J Burnett

Artistic Director

The artistic director is in charge of the acting (dahling) as well as managing the overall production, arranging meetings with the other team members as well as sound, light, props, and much, much more. 

Malcolm has been involved in the theatrical scene in Edinburgh since 1989, doing everything from on stage cast member to directing. In 1998 he co-founded LYAMC and has carried out the roles of President and Artistic Director since then. Other directing credits include; work for The Edinburgh Playhouse, The Bohemians, FMC Technologies, Allegro, Tempo and several others.

Malcolm works as a freelance Artistic Director and Theatre Technician throughout Scotland, he is very
passionate about working with young people and is delighted to perform the role of creative leader of the
Edinburgh Playhouse Youth Musicals Club. He’s also the head of Technical Theatre for the MGA Company
and has just finished touring with their performance company Fierce on the fabulous Broadway Bound. Recent directing credits include, Singing In The Rain for the Bohemians, LYAMC’s sell out production of Billy Elliot as part of Billy Youth Theatre and most recently the Stage Experience production of Fame at the Edinburgh Playhouse. As a technician Malcolm works extensively across Scotland and is currently in the middle of the festival run with the Pleasance at the fabulous Scottish Themed entertainment venue, Ghillie-Dhu!

Malcolm is delighted to have been appointed as director for Eurobeat and is looking forward to be back working
with SMYCMS following his appearance as Nathan Detroit in the 2006 production of Guys & Dolls. 

Alison Rushworth, Musical Director

Alison Rushworth

Musical Director

Louise Heatly, Choreographer

Louise Heatly

Choreographer

The choreographer’s job is 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 has the duties of creating the dances, but also of teaching them, often to non-dancers.

Louise runs her own dance studio Dance@Studio21 which was started in 2006. It has  nearly 250 pupils and runs classes in Edinburgh and West Linton teaching jazz, tap, streetdance, highland and pilates. 

She has also taken part in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo for the last 8 years which on occasion has given her the opportunity to assist the director in leading rehearsals and attending seperate events to promote the team.

Louise feels the new opportunity that Smycms  is offering is a fantastic new venture which she is very happy to create and develop dances for.

TBC, Rehearsal Accompanist

TBC

Rehearsal Accompanist

Although technically not a member of the production team, the rehearsal accompanist  is a crucial fixture at rehearsals. Without an accompanist, rehearsals would be patchy at best, stopping and starting as the right track on the CD was found (again).
 

 The Committee

Paul Findlay (chairman)

Term: 2008 – 2011

Paul has been with the Smycms since their inception in 1963. He has a keen love for the group as an entity and for the individuals that make it up, even though the company changes from year to year. He’s seen a lot of changes since the beginning, but still feels strongly that the Smycms are the best am-dram group in Edinburgh, and works inumerable hours to keep it that way.

Paul is currenly responsible for organising ticket distribution to company members, and committee meetings are held round his dining room table, and he serves as treasurer.

Paul also owns Fanelli’s Deli in Colinton, which serves as the Smycms box office.

Paul Whyte

Term: 2009 – 2012

Paul is the PR secretary, handling all the Smycms printed material, designing and arranging for copies of flyers, posters and other materials. He also arranges the programme, selling advertising and making sure all the necessary information is in the right place before it goes to print. It’s also usually Paul that will accost you to buy a raffle ticket for our weekly fundraising draw. 

Tony McDonald

Term: 2008 – 2011

Tony McDonald is the Smycms social secretary, spearheading and documenting many of the social events, details can be found at www.sonsofsmycms.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. 

 Simon Gillies

 Term: 2010

Simon has decided to join the committe this year as The Smycms goes through a period of transition and his knowledge and experience will be invaluable in this undertaking. Simon has been connected with The Smycms for many years either on stage or as Technical/Stage manager with Simpol Staging

Elizabeth Kenyon

Term: 2010

Elizabeth who has been with The Smycms since 2005, has joined the committee on a trial basis just to see if she likes it. She is currently involved in resurrecting The Smycms wardrobe.

Our History