Topsy-Turvy is a 1999 British musical period drama film written and directed by Mike Leigh, starring Jim Broadbent as W. S. Gilbert and Allan Corduner as Sir Arthur Sullivan, along with Timothy Spall, Lesley Manville and Ron Cook. The story concerns the 15-month period in 1884 and 1885 leading up to the premiere of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado. The work explores the creative conflict between playwright and composer, and depicts their decision to continue their partnership, which led to their creation of several more Savoy operas.

The Past is an Undiscovered Country.

If you have been involved in an otganisation for many years and have seen it all there is a risk that when issues arise for discussion you can end up in reminiscence mode. That is you start telling stories about what happened in the past through rose timted glasses. However there is also a risk that when you are drawing on past experiences during a discussion that others believe you are just wasting time telling old stories.

It is very important to respect the past without dwelling in the past because the past still has lessons to be learned. In my case if I am listeing to a discussion about how to resolve a problem and I remember that we faced the same problem decades before I could do one of to things. I could sit silently and just let people reinvent the wheel or stress over an issue or I could say that yes we faced that problem in the past and this is the solution that we came up with then. So don’t be confused into thinking you have nothing to leaarn from the past or from those who lived through that past. That attitude disrespects all those people who came before you and who gave up huge amounts of time and energy to make the organisation you are now a part of. “On the shoulders of giants”

I for example joined MMuDS in 1984. MMuDS however started in 1982 when a group of people got together to setup the systems and give birth to MMuDS. I have the upmost admiration and respect for that group who started with absolutely nothing but had boundless enthusiasm, drive and the creative courage to give it a go. I would always listen and respect their advice evem if I ultimately did not agree with everything that was said.

No organisation can just stand still and look back because the world and the local community around them does not but that is no excure to just cancel the past as if it has no value to the present.

Finally the veterans in any organisation are not always going to be around so pick their brains while you can and you never know you might actually learn something of value.

MMuDS had a really good and interesting Committee workshop yesterday ( Sunday) a lot of discussion about how we can do things better and future ideas. It is very hard during normal committee meetings todo this sort of stuff so it was really important to have a day like yesterday. I am sure MMuDS members will learn more about what happened as we run up to the AGM later this year. It also made me think with more clarity about my committee end date. I think, if I am re-elected as a committee member, that I will hang up my Committee hat at the AGM of 2028. I still need to train the next Ticketing Co-Ordinator This does not mean I can't Direct or be on stage it just means it will be time to make room for a fresh young creative face to join the Committee. I have been so fortunate that when I originally joined MMuDS I had people who believed in me and encouraged me both in singing, acting and later Directing. They lived inclusivity before the word became popular. If I have a legacy I hope it is that I can and have returned that favour and supported, encouraged and stood with those who may feel they are not good enough to be in theatre. It is what the original culture of MMuDs was all about. So Chookas! Nah, it will always be "Break a Leg"

have been quietly working away thinking about a MMuDS Production for 2027. MMuDS has had a long history of doing musicals and having great singers both as soloists and ensemble, Chorus, singers. As I enter the twilight of my active time with MMuDS I have been pondering how to rekindle our singing. I think we need to do some "fun" singing workshops for new and even experienced singers but we need this to lead to something positive. That is where "Trial by Jury" would come in. Instead of completing a workshop with nothing to then use what you have been learner having a Gilbert & Sullivan one act musical as the ultimate goal would I think encourage people to get involved, Personally I learned my singing from being is such musical as Iolanthe, Pirates of Penzance and HMS Pinafore. What do you think? just putting it out here for thoughts, comments and ideas.