A Nice dilemma and Trial by Jury

A Nice Dilemma’, written by Mary Dhonau set the scene for the later Trial, as the Court Usher played with great ease by Colin Wilks, attempted to gather his 12 jury-men from a selection of characters from G&S operettas. The immortal ladies chorus opened the section with ‘Tripping hither’ from Iolanthe and then followed a selection that held our attention including; Bev Butler who sang ‘Cheerily carols the lark’ from Ruddigore, maintaining well her mad persona throughout, Paul Allsop as ‘Capt. of the Pinafore ’, Catherine Watton singing I’m called Little Buttercup’, Christine Davies singing ‘If somebody there chanced to be’ also from Ruddigore and Paul Ellis as the ‘Pirate King’.

The chorus throughout were excellent, particularly singing the unaccompanied ‘Hail Poetry’ from Pirates of Penzance and Mark Tooby gave a great rendition of ‘I am a very model …’also from Pirates. Then followed ‘Three Little Maids…’ with Libby Butler, Emily Butler and Berny Murray  (incidentally great to see three generations from the same family on stage together) albeit at risk of being outdone by Samuel Taunton, Mike Faulkner and Cyril Pulleng  with a very amusing rendition of ‘I am a Maiden …’. Following Bronwen Carless singing ‘When our gallant norman foes’, the section was rounded off in great style with a rousing finale of ‘When Britain Really Ruled …’ from Iolanthe, led by Paul Bayliss.

Following the interval, ‘Trial by Jury’ was presented with great panache, led of course by the learned Judge himself – again faultlessly played by Michael Faulkner. In fact the entire cast gave a well- dressed performance with Lisa Adams (The Plaintiff), Samuel Taunton (The Defendant) - Elvis style with a touch of hip swivelling,  Mary Dhonau standing in with 3 hours’ notice, although you would not know it, as Counsel, Colin Wilks (Usher) and Paul Allsop (Foreman of the Jury).

There were some particularly strong numbers including ‘When I, good friends, was called to the Bar’ (Chorus & Judge), ‘Oh, gentlemen, listen, I pray’ (Defendant and chorus) and the ensemble harmonies in ‘A nice dilemma we have here’. The chorus were also strong in ‘That she is reeling is plain to see’ and with sensitive accompaniment throughout led by Tim Goodall as MD, all should be pleased with this entertaining performance.

The Friday performance was dedicated, to Robert Wilson MBE who sadly passed away in February, and his father Walter Wilson who founded the Society in 1973. Both had made the widest possible contribution to musical theatre across the local region acknowledged by a fitting display in the foyer.

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