1992’s “A Space Oddity” had aliens landing in Glasgow where they encountered Rab C. Nesbitt, Taggart, The Broons, Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs and even members of the Royal Family. As in War Of The Worlds, the aliens were defeated by a simple earthly substance – this time it was Irn-Bru – and the show raised money for the Motor Neurone Trust.

In 1994, “Hi Noon!” was re-worked and extended as “Dunces With Wolves” (with cabaret from ‘Tammy Wynette’, a rambling Country & Western singer and ‘Elvis’) and, in 1996, “A Fistful of Splonders” was re-worked as “Sherwood Shenanigans”. Robin & Marion duetted in “Something Stupid” and the merry men performed as Take That. The Town Crier narrated and read out topical news items.

What was to be the last show was 1998’s re-working of “Roman In The Gloamin’” as “Chariots For Hire”. Julius Caesar was duly murdered but Sherlock Holmes was somehow brought in to solve the crime. The interval had an audience-participation game of “Play Your Cards Right”.

Latterly, every Boy in the Company was involved and appeared on stage. Obviously, the older or more talented ones got the main parts and singing roles but every Boy gained great experience from performing in public. The Staff manfully directed, worked the sound and lights, painted scenery and stage-managed. Jokes from the shows (some of which the younger Boys did not even understand) became Company catch-phrases and are still remembered fondly by those who took part. 

Cystic Fibrosis, TEAR Fund, the Blind Society, the Motor Neurone Trust, Scottish Cot Death Trust, Scottish Deaf Children and the Association for Restricted Growth in Children have all been supported through these events and representatives from these charities were sometimes able to attend the show to see our efforts and to be presented with a cheque at the end of the evening.

Gordon Cubie
March 2009