Infernal Nonsense

The Hoghton Players G & S Society’s latest concert was called Infernal Nonsense which was a light-hearted look at the seven deadly sins through excerpts and songs from the works of the Victorian-era theatrical partnership of the librettist W. S. Gilbert and composer Arthur Sullivan. The programme included pieces from those well-loved  comedy operetta favourites, Trial by Jury, Iolanthe, Pirates of Penzance, The Gondoliers, Yeomen of the Guard, HMS Pinafore, Ruddigore, Princess Ida,  The Sorcerer and Utopia Ltd, there was also a song from The Zoo, a piece that was written by Sir Arthur Sullivan along with a librettist  B. C. Stephenson.

The concert was introduced and conducted by the Players Musical Director the multitalented Ian Dunning and the soloists for the evening included Clare Hyams, Pat Maitland, Iris Kelly, Sue Lee, Robina White, Dermot Coghlan, Ian Dunning, Peter Dunning, Ray Dutton and Gordon Leek, who performed a number of songs each from the programme well with feeling and confidence. Each section was linked by some interesting narration read well and clearly by a  team of narrators who were all also part of the body of singers, which included information about the next song or except to be performed and how it fitted in with the theme for the evening, which was rather comical at times, The ensemble as a whole appeared to be enjoying themselves immensely, singing the songs they knew so well with excellent diction, gusto and enthusiasm, which came across to the audience who also appeared to enjoy the evening’s entertainment.

All the soloist and ensemble pieces were expertly accompanied by Ann Dickinson on the piano who played splendidly and securely as always.

Well done to Musical Director Ian Dunning, to all the singers and everyone involved in this production for a very pleasant entertaining evening, thank you very much for inviting us.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.