Actors court laughs with legal operetta

Ugie Voices took over Peterhead Sheriff Court to stage a version of the Gilbert and Sullivan Trial By Jury, The Press and Journal reports.

They turned the court into a theatre, playing out scenes in the dock, jury box, lawyers’ desk and elsewhere.

Extra chairs had to be added to the public gallery after the event sold out.

Musical director James Campbell said: “The courthouse was overflowing with people – we sold out twice.

“I think the standing ovation we received at the end spoke for itself. I just stand and wave my arms but they all put in a lot of hard work.

“When I first went to Peterhead Sheriff Court in February, to plan for this, I took one look at the space and thought it wouldn’t work as we would need much more room.

“But, with the help of others from Ugie Voices, we saw the positives and squeezed everyone in.

“It was one of those things that we couldn’t plan ahead of time, during our rehearsal the speakers for the piano moved about five times. The room was logistically interesting though and it was actually quite fun to get everything set up.”

The group paid tribute to Marion Macfarlane, who was president of the Peterhead Choral Society – the group’s forerunner organisation.

She passed away in February.

Mr Campbell told the audience that the show was “something that has not happened for us in living memory”.

He added: “Marion would have been so proud to see the fruits of her labours fulfilled.”