Celebrating the people who bring the Gaiety Theatre to Life - Douglas Choral Union

Every performance at the Gaiety Theatre carries a story far bigger than what happens on stage, under the spotlight. It’s about community, dedication, resilience, friendships and a shared love of theatre.

In this new feature, VillaGaiety are celebrating our fantastically creative local societies and groups who bring the Gaiety stage to life. We hear directly from the people who pour their hearts into curating shows that afford our community the opportunity to enjoy memorable and high quality performances right here on their doorstep.

We’re proud to begin with Douglas Choral Union who are currently lighting up the Gaiety stage with their unmissable production of the timeless musical Guys & Dolls. Here we chat to Jude Fullerton, DCU Secretary. 

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐆𝐮𝐲𝐬 & 𝐃𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲?

Guys and Dolls is a classic 1950s Broadway musical comedy set in bustling, Depression-era Times Square. It follows two storylines: gambler Nathan Detroit tries to find a spot for his illegal "floating crap game" while stalling his fiancée, showgirl Miss Adelaide, and high-roller Sky Masterson falls for missionary Sarah Brown.  

It is a light-hearted "fairy-tale" about romance, gambling, and gangsters with hearts of gold.

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐮𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐞, 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐚 𝐭𝐫𝐲?

Even if you’re not usually keen on musicals or theatre, Guys and Dolls is a great one to try because it feels more like a witty, energetic comedy than a traditional musical. The story is easy to follow, the characters are funny and engaging, and the music is lively and familiar rather than overly dramatic. With its colourful 1950s New York setting and feel-good atmosphere, it’s an accessible, low-pressure introduction to theatre that’s simply fun to watch, even for people who don’t normally think theatre is for them.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐬𝐨 𝐟𝐚𝐫?
There have been many highlights during our rehearsals, most memorable is co-ordinating movements for 'Sit Down Your Rocking the Boat' - the enthusiastic score just makes us want to burst out singing especially led by Jonathan Sleight who plays Nicely Nicely. We have also had great fun getting into our Cuban party mode for the Havana scene with cast getting the whole South American rhythm with hips swaying and posing! The best bit of rehearsals is getting together, making new friends, having fun and just enjoying our love of theatre and performing. It is not just performers but also all the crew who get involved in bringing the show together by the time we hit the theatre we would have nearly 80+ people involved   

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐃𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲?
The Douglas Choral Union (DCU) is a cornerstone of the Isle of Man's cultural landscape, having led Manx theatre since it first took to the stage in 1896. As we prepare for our upcoming production of Guys and Dolls, we celebrate 130 years of bringing high-quality musical theatre to the local community. 

Despite our status as an amateur society whose members have full-time jobs, families, and educational commitments, the DCU is renowned for producing shows that rival professional West End productions. We utilize professionally built sets, props, and costumes, often working with top-tier directors, choreographers, and musical directors to maintain a high standard of stagecraft. The DCU considers the magnificent Gaiety Theatre its "spiritual home" and has performed there since the venue opened in 1900. Notably, eight DCU members were the very first to perform on the Gaiety stage, singing the National Anthem at its opening night.

The DCU operates as a registered charity with a core mission to nurture local talent and improve the standard of performing arts on the Island. 

• The DCU Bursary: To support the next generation of performers, the society provides an annual bursary for individuals who are pursuing further education in drama, dance, music, or theatre.
• Educational Workshops: The group frequently hosts workshops and tutorials for both children and adults, sharing professional insights into audition techniques and characterization.
• Charitable Partnerships: The DCU maintains a close relationship with the Manx Gateway Drama Group, a charity that helps adults with learning disabilities discover self-expression through the arts. 

Over our 130-year history, the DCU has become a creative home that often spans generations of Manx families. A prime example of this continuity is seen with our production of Guys and Dolls: Simon Fletcher, a DCU Life Member who played Sky Masterson in our 1998 production, returns 28 years later as Nathan Detroit, performing alongside Evie Skillicorn, whose aunt played opposite Simon in that same 1998 show.  

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 - 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞?
Contact us through our Facebook page or via email to Secretary-DCU@hotmail.com