Dumfries Musical Theatre Company are very proud to present a brand new musical: Milligan’s Mausoleum.
Written by Geoff Davidson, this musical comedy follows the true story of John Milligan, who was hired to build Robert Burns’ Mausoleum, and is set to open on Saturday 23rd November at The Brigend Theatre.
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Performing at The Brigend Theatre from 23rd to 30th November 2019, doors open at 7.00pm with the show starting at 7.30pm. Please note, Sunday 24th November is a Matinee only, doors open at 2.00pm with the show starting at 2.30pm.
While the story is obviously tweaked for dramatic reasons, it is firmly based on research into what actually happened during the building of the mausoleum in the town between 1813 and 1815.
The show brings to life some of Burns’ contemporaries and friends, such as John Syme, William Grierson, Jessie Lewars (for whom he wrote his last song – O Wert Thou in the Cauld Blast) and his widow, Jean Armour Burns.
This production written and directed by Geoff Davidson is a humorous look at the shenanigans that took place during the construction of the mausoleum. 19 years since Burns was buried in an obscure corner of the St. Michael’s graveyard, John Syme, a long-time friend of Robert Burns, has decided that it’s time to build a suitably splendid Mausoleum for Scotland’s Bard (which was originally made in red sandstone!)
The job of building the Mausoleum is given to Dumfries builder John Milligan. Too late it is discovered that Milligan is an irascible, drunken rogue and we begin to see the disintegration of the committee’s hopes as Milligan ignores the plans sent from London and ploughs his own furrow in every aspect of the construction.
Other characters, such as the Reverend Henry Duncan and Jean Armour Burns are drawn into the situation as the Mausoleum’s erection is underway despite Milligan’s incompetent work.
A full-scale altercation with James Thompson, the superintendent of works, descends into a farcical conclusion. The next day, rumours abound as to what has actually happened to Milligan. Eventually all vexatious questions are answered and caustic relationships sweetened as the powerful sentiments of “Auld lang syne” are heard.
Performing at The Brigend Theatre from 23rd to 30th November 2019, doors open at 7.00pm with the show starting at 7.30pm. Please note, Sunday 24th November is a Matinee only, doors open at 2.00pm with the show starting at 2.30pm.
Tickets are only £12 and available now from the Midsteeple Box Office, or online at Ticket Source
Dumfries Musical Theatre Company (DMTC) is Dumfries’ only musical theatre company with its own wee theatre, The Brigend. We have been performing in Dumfries since 1922, originally formed as Dumfries Musical and Operatic Society (DMOS) changing our name at the beginning of 2008. In 1972, we purchased a former church which was being used as a joiner’s workshop and converted it into a 96 seat theatre, The Brigend Theatre – which is now our home.
We perform two musicals each year – at least one in our own theatre and sometimes at other venues such as The Theatre Royal, Dumfries. We are always looking for new members to join in both on and off stage. If you are interested in acting, dancing, singing, costumes, directing, hair and make-up or scene construction, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Email [email protected] or find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @dumfriesmtc
