Malcolm refuses to let illness be a drama – except on stage

MND sufferer will not let condition stop his work in musical theatre

Malcolm Dowie from Monifieth may have motor neurone disease (MND) but he is certainly not letting that stop him doing what he loves best – musical theatre.

He conceived, cast and directed his first play when he was a pupil in Primary 2 and has never looked back. Over the years he has directed or performed in many local productions.

“As principal teacher of expressive arts at Forfar Academy, I also directed many theatre performances involving my pupils across Scotland and Europe,” Malcolm, 52, says proudly.

Back in 2011 and otherwise fit and healthy, a slight weakness in his legs was the first indication that something was not right.

In 2013 was diagnosed with MND, a progressive, incurable disease that attacks the motor neurones, or nerves, in the brain and spinal cord.

The condition had already claimed the lives of his father and grandfather.

Since his diagnosis, he has had to give up work and is no longer able to perform on stage.

However, he was determined to stay involved with the theatre and after encouragement and support from family and friends, in February last year he finally put pen to paper for Crimson Ribbon, his first venture into script and lyric writing, as well as composing music. Based on the true story of a soldier from Dundee, who served with the 4th Battalion Black Watch in the First World War, the play recently ran for three nights in the Gardyne Theatre, raising thousands of pounds for research into MND.

“It was so exciting to see it come to the stage, almost like having another child.” smiles Malcolm. “Allowing other people to hear words and music with a very personal perspective made me feel vulnerable.

“But the response from the public has been extremely humbling and overwhelming.

“Being diagnosed with MND has made me change focus on what is important in life – family (wife Kirsty and children Laura and Scott) and friends and being glad of what I can do, rather than what I can’t.

“There are no barriers – just alternative paths.”

There are no barriers – just alternative paths

Picture: Dougie Nicolson. Malcolm Dowie refused to let motor neurone disease stop him writing and composing Crimson Ribbon, which was performed at the Gardyne Theatre.