Iolanthe

I am still at a disadvantage when preparing a report on a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta.  They are still popular and attract healthy audiences but, as a child of rock‘n’roll and Country music, they remain foreign territory to me.  I have now seen three G&S shows, so my education continues – and I always take someone along who can keep me right on salient points.  I think it is only fair to admit this before putting fingers to keyboard.

Those familiar with G&S will be familiar with Iolanthe so I’ll keep this short.  The plot involves the rehabilitation of fairy Iolanthe, banished eternally by the Fairy Queen, for marrying a mortal.  I may be wrong but I think W. S. Gilbert was having a go at the Law and the House of Lords.  The Lord Chancellor is required to consent to the marriage of Iolanthe’s son, Strephon, (who is half fairy) to a Muggle, sorry, mortal but since he and the entire House of Lords also have designs upon her, there is much finagling before a resolution is achieved, which involves all the Lords marrying fairies and flying off to Fairyland. Ah, bliss!

This is my fifth visit to Hexham as NODA Regional Representative and I am always impressed by their productions.  I now recognise a few familiar faces although this evening there were also some faces new to me.  There was a quite large Chorus of Fairies which, including 4 Principals, totalled 24 plus Strephon, who is half-fairy and the only enchanted male.  Beryl Amos commanded centre stage for much of the production as the Fairy Queen.  I know it is the way the lib. is written, but Gill Hall seemed strangely underused as Iolanthe, not being in evidence for much of the show. Selina Mankin, as the object of Strephon’s affections Beryl, had a great deal more to do and did it very well with a voice which stood out from the large Chorus when required to.  Mari Stewart, who I recognise from previous productions, brought an impish sense of humour to the role of Leila.

There was also a healthy male chorus, to populate the House of Lords plus Lee Falkingham, as Strephon, who did a valiant job in the part, having been brought in as a replacement just 5 days before opening night, to play a very important role, both musically and character-wise.  I definitely take my hat off to him.  Director, Janet Beakes, and her assistant, Elva Mason shepherded their large company of 43 performers well through their scenes on a sometimes quite crowded stage.  As always, I find the chorus singing of Hexham A S S very impressive.  Unfortunately, on this occasion I was totally unfamiliar with the music but my guest confirmed I was right, the chorus singing was very good.

The orchestra, comprising just 7 players, seemed quite small compared to the other (two) G&S productions I have now seen.  Surprisingly, there were occasions when the balance between the music and the performers favoured the orchestra, making the lyrics and lib. difficult to hear clearly, not something I have come to expect at Hexham.  Having said all that, I must say the Society has, once again, produced a bright, colourful and amusing show.

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