The usually sombre environment at Peterhead Sheriff Court was transformed when a singing group used it to perform a comic operetta with a legal theme.
The dock, which is normally frequented exclusively by those charged with a crime, was instead filled with members of Ugie Voices – who could only be accused putting on an impressive show.
They chose the unusual venue to stage a version of the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta Trial by Jury.
The room was reinvented as a theatre as scenes were played out in the dock, jury box, lawyers’ desk and other areas.
The courthouse, unlike anywhere else the group has performed, posed some challenges after the 60 tickets originally available were sold and members had to cram more chairs into the public gallery.
James Campbell, the group’s musical director, said he was delighted with the turnout.
He said: “The courthouse was overflowing with people – we sold out twice.
“They did very well, as did our five soloists who took on the principal roles in Trial by Jury.
“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 first half of the concert comprised of Ugie Voices’ rendition of the Trial by Jury and the second half featured a variety of performances including pop songs, show tunes and some traditional numbers.
Tribute was paid to Marion Macfarlane, who was the long-standing president of the Peterhead Choral Society – the group’s predecessor.
She was a driving force behind the change but never got the chance to perform as part of Ugie Voices before her death in February.
Mr Campbell told the audience in court that the sell-out 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.”
