Double Acts

Double Acts a concert presented by Hoghton Players Gilbert & Sullivan Society on Saturday 17th May, 2025 at Holy Trinity Parish Centre, Hoghton Street, Southport.

“This is an extract taken from tonight’s programme” ... ‘from their first (half-forgotten) collaboration in 1871 (‘Thespis’ more a glorified panto than an Opera) ... Dr Arthur Sullivan and Mr WS Gilbert evolved into a partnership that dominated the British musical stage for almost two decades. It is fitting that so many variations on the idea of ‘twos’ came from their joint pens.  They gave us much more than the obligatory comic opera pairs of lovers, we meet so many more ‘double-acts’: parents, parents and their children, long-married couples (loving or bickering) ... we even experience ‘twos’ through the music itself. When different characters are trying to express conflicting ideas simultaneously or are at odds... Sullivan gives them both polyphony and counterpoint, often in the form of ‘double chorus’ ... some of which we’ll share with you tonight’ ...We were then told to sit back and enjoy.... which I know we all did!  

Production Team... in charge of the concert we had the ever present, ever so experienced Ann Dickinson MBE (Accompanist) and Ian Dunning (Conductor). When these two come together... you’re always assured of being in safe hands.

Cast ... included Diane Beirne; Phyllis Broughton; Dermot Coghlan, Isobel Cope; Julia Cruickshank; Dennis Davis; Peter Dunning; Stephanie Dunning, Ray Dutton; Gwyneth Farrer; Caroline Grindley; Dawn James; Iris Kelly; Patricia Maitland;
Michael Lomax; Clive Purchase; David Sidey; Olwen Walsh; Ian Wells; Sue Wells; Robina White.

The Concert ... was played in two parts...
Part 1
Love is all around: ‘Ring Forth, Ye Bells’ - ‘The Sorcerer’ sung by a Chorus of Villagers
Brotherly harmony: ‘We’re called Gondolieri’ – ‘The Gondoliers’ sung by Dermot & Ray
Tale of two kiddies: ‘I stole the Prince’ – ‘The Gondoliers’ sung by Peter
Poetic Licence: ‘In a doleful train’ - ‘Patience’ sung by Robina, Patricia, David & Chorus
Long haired lover: ‘Prithee pretty maiden’ – ‘Patience’ sung by Patricia & Ray
Just do the maths: If Saphir I choose to marry’ – ‘Patience’ sung by Gwyneth, Patricia, Dermot, Ray & Peter
Burying the hatchet: ‘When I go out of door’ – ‘Patience’ sung by Ian & Peter
Sister act: ‘How fair, how modest ... although of native maids’ – (Utopia Limited) sung by Gwyneth, Stephanie and Chorus of ‘Utopian Islands’
Standing at (the centre of) attention: ‘First Life Guards’ – (Utopia Limited) sung by Stephanie, Ray & Chorus of Utopian Maidens and Life Guardsmen
Towering revelations: ‘Strange Adventure’ – ‘The Yeomen of the Guard’ sung by The Chorus
Hope springs eternal: ‘Were I  thy Bride’ – ‘The Yeomen of the Guard’ sung by Caroline
He’s Tellin a terrible Story: Finale – Act 1 – ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ sung by Ray, Peter, David, Robina, Dermot, Stephanie, Iris & the chorus of Daughters and Pirates.

Part 2
Forward on the foe: ‘When the Foeman’... ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ sung by Stephanie, Caroline, Peter, Ray and the Chorus of Daughters & Policemen.
Dual Income: ‘Small Titles and Orders’ – ‘The Gondoliers’ sung by Ian, Caroline
The recipe for wedded bliss: ‘On the Day that I was Wedded’ – ‘The Gondoliers’ sung by Iris
Love & Marriage: ‘In a Contemplative Fashion’ - ‘The Gondoliers’ sung by Gwyneth, Patricia, Marco & Ray
Substantial damage limitation: ‘I love him, I love him’ – ‘Trial by Jury’ sung by Gwyneth, Dermot, and a Chorus of Bridesmaids, Jurors and Members of the Public
Long Engagement: ‘Today we meet... Ida was a twelve-month old’ – ‘Princess Ida’ sung by Dermot
Lofty ambitions: ‘Now wouldn’t you like to rule the roast’  – ‘Princess Ida’ sung by Iris & Patricia
Twice the Strife: ‘Walls and Fences Scaling’ / ‘When Anger Spreads his Wings’ - ‘Princess Ida’ sung by Chorus of Girl Undergraduates & Soldiers
Doing it by the Book: ‘If Somebody there chanced to be’ – ‘Ruddigore’ sung by Stephanie
They think it’s all Over: ‘The Battle’s Roar is Over’ – ‘Ruddigore’ sung by Gwyneth & Dermot
It is now: ‘Finale Act 2’ – ‘The Mikado’ sung by Iris, Ray, Gwyneth, Dermot, Stephanie, David,
Peter and the Chorus of Residents of Titipu.

The performance was ‘narrated’ by ... Diane, Dermot, Isobel, Stephanie, Caroline, Olwen, Ian, Sue & Robbie.
I’ve never tried to hide the fact that I’m a ‘beginner’ when it comes to Gilbert & Sullivan ... but having spent many hours now listening and reading about them and their works, I am starting to appreciate the wonderful blend of witty dialogue, the catchy melodies and the delightful absurd situations which have been captivating audiences for many, many years. I love coming to watch and listen to Hoghton Player perform... you’re always met with warm smiling faces, enthusiasm, a feeling of just ‘being’!  There’s never any ‘airs or graces’, just gentle ‘G&S folk’ coming together, enjoying and performing for their followers and friends and really... what more is theatre, entertainment all about than just that.... carry on doing what you’re doing and be ever so proud of the results!

As you know, I’m never one for ‘sitting on the fence’ ... so, I’m going to select MY favourite performance from both Act 1 and Act 2... these are MY favourites, you’ll no doubt have your own...
Act 1 I’ve gone for ...  If Saphir I choose to marry’ – ‘Patience’ sung by Gwyneth, Patricia, Dermot, Ray & Peter... some lovely blending of voices.
Act 2 had to be ...  ‘When the Foeman’... ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ sung by Stephanie, Caroline, Peter, Ray and the Chorus of Daughters & Policemen... I do love a bit of ‘Pirates’ and this song is,  I think for me an ‘anthem for G&S

Thank you so much for your warm welcome, my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our evening as we always do, your passion, your endeavour, your enthusiasm is infectious and there for all to see and long may it continue... thanks again, hope to see you all again very soon!

Stay safe and keep well….
“Stronger Together”
Jim Briscoe
NODA North West
District 6 Rep

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