A DUMBARTON theatre group staged its first show since the pandemic started two years ago.

Dumbarton People’s Theatre’s (DPT) recently hosted its Previews, Premieres and Prosecco event – a selection of play excerpts, sketches and music specially selected for the associate members of the group, in St Augustine’s Church.

The church was transformed for the performance with special theatrical lighting, cleverly hung drapes, and appropriate sound effects which ensured the maximum theatrical experience for the audience.

Janette Barnes, from the DPT, explained the event was one of the biggest challenges the group has faced in its lengthy history.

She said: “Dumbarton People’s Theatre stopped all live productions in February 2020.

“Members did their best to keep the club alive with Zoom events. When public entertainment became a possibility again they faced the difficulty of the Denny Civic Theatre not reopening due to renovation work being required.

“Although West Dunbartonshire Council has agreed that the work will proceed it is still unable to provide a date for when bookings can be taken. Rumours of late summer or early autumn are becoming increasingly unlikely.

“At the DPT AGM last week a programme was discussed for season 22/23 – but where will it all take place? This is the question being asked by all theatre lovers in our area who appreciate the value of the Denny Civic, where entertainment is available at very affordable costs with few transport problems.

“The evening of entertainment was one of the biggest challenges in the club’s 77-year history.”

Around 33 members within the group took part in the production and the creation of a theatre out of a place of worship was certainly a triumph for the backstage team.

Scenes from Ladies Day (the play that was halted by Covid), The Haunting from the ghost stories of Charles Dickens and The Thirty Nine Steps from John Buchan were among the works performed during the course of proceedings.

Janette added: “The members of St Augustine’s were delighted to welcome DPT – they enjoy participating in all community events.

“But the members of DPT are longing for the reopening of the Denny Civic and are determined to find a way to say to their supporters ‘you shall go to the theatre’.”