Iolanthe

The Three Towns are back with Gilbert and Sullivan’s Iolanthe or The Peer and The Peri.

As we know Gilbert and Sullivan very much made comments of the day about the House of Lords and the political party system. They lampooned the privileged and dim-witted rich and constantly made comments about their privilege using absurdities and comedy (scary after all this time it is still relevant - maybe we need some fairies in Parliament now?!). Iolanthe takes us through the world of fairies living peacefully until they let men into their lives. This gives a society the chance for the ladies to dress up as fairies and have a sparkly wand - everyone should have the chance of that (let’s not talk of ageism!) Watching this show you think - are the women getting a rough deal here?. . . a fairy is banished for marrying a mortal and having a son, a mortal girl is about to have her life decided by two men, who have a whole conversation about not upsetting each other about it and the fairies are told if they marry  a mortal the punishment is death. I think we need to give credit to Gilbert and Sullivan as being ahead of their time. The fairy women get what they want and play the men at their own game - job done!

The Three Towns put on a colourful display with the first scene set in the woods, complete with pond and the second The Palace of Westminster (Stage Manager Helen Litherland and Cathie Henry and Crew). The costumes looked wonderful - who doesn’t like a light-up wand? - the colours of the fairy chorus were very ethereal. The gentlemen peers looked splendid in their plus-fours when they made their first entrance (Wardrobe by Ann Bachelor and Margaret Laithwaite, Costumes by Charades). Sound unobtrusive as ever as it should be by Lea Royse and Elodie Perrier.  I did find sometimes some people were in the dark and I couldn’t see their faces, especially down stage right - this could even be actor error not hitting the mark, but it was noticeable a few times on the night I was there (Lighting - Jack Welsby).

Phil Boardman steps in as the new Musical Director and he certainly made an impression - the Orchestra were magnificent. The sound was beautiful, and the string section was on fire. I only wish I could mention each and every one of you - bravo!

The chorus of fairies and gentlemen peers were in full voice and The Three Towns excel at this. Loved the moment when the peer comes up from the pond with goggles on. A couple of songs that stood out were Loudly Let The Trumpet Bray and Oh Foolish Fay sung with The Queen played by Fran Davies - well done!

Other cast members were Earl Tolloller played by David Griffiths who was in fine voice, Lord Chancellor played by David Kay who sang The Law Is The True Embodiment and Love Unrequited Robs Me of My Rest -  David was also the director and must have had lots of fun with this show. well done!  Ken Rees takes on the part of Earl of Mountararat (there actually is a Mount Ararat)  - Great work! Celia (a fairy) was played by Julia Sutton and Leila (another fairy) was played by Alison Rawlinson. Lord Chancellor’s attendant was played by Nicola Dagnall who is also the Pianist for The Three Towns. Peter Freeborn played The Policeman. Phyllis the only mortal female was played by Victoria Goulden, who looked the part and worked well with Karl Heaver playing Strephon (a shepherd) - how she kept her face straight I do not know (I will now struggle getting the pronunciation of fairy as ‘furry’ out of my head)! Karl was hilarious and played it with a strong Lancashire accent. He remined me of Bobby Ball - all he needed was the braces – hilarious!

Private Willis (of the Grenadier Guards) was played by John Matthias who commanded the stage with his presence. Loved his When All Night Long A Chap Remains - no wonder the Fairy Queen was all hot and bothered! And he gets to hold a fairy wand - bucket list tick perhaps? Fabulous work!

Jennie Heywood as Iolanthe (a fairy and Strephon’s mother) was a delight and perfect casting as the title of the show - she actually doesn’t get that many songs but My Lord, Suppliant at Your Feet was  a delight.

When I watch a Gilbert and Sullivan show I am always in awe at how many words they manage to fit in a bar – it’s jaw-dropping and a great vocal work out, not easy to perform. Congratulations to The Cast, Crew and Committee for a fun show and getting back out there.

Thank you from my guest Kathryn and I for your kind hospitality.

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