Iolanthe

The set for both Acts looked great with good use of entrances and exits and lovely props. This G & S production was beautifully costumed, very well lit and staged.

As usual this society use a pianist as accompaniment but the blend of experienced voices harmonising works so well here that it gives the audience the chance to really hear the melodies. They use the back exit well walking a number of scenes through the audience.

Every member of this cast had developed their characters but collectively the singing was lovely to listen to.

John Myers played The Lord Chancellor very well with great diction and a nice tone to his voice. Both Earls played by Peter Walker and John Liptrott were super with clarity of voice and strength of tone. All 3 delivered lines with great comic timing allowing the audience to follow the story unfolding in front of them.

Strephon was played charmingly by Lawrence Shoebridge who had a lovely tone to his voice. Anne Butterworth played a formidable Queen of the Fairies with a singing voice to match. Very commanding and well projected.

Celia,Fleta and Leila were played respectively by Marian Hilton , Melanie Jones and Rachael Glennon. Each had their own personalities but collectively were lovely to both hear and watch.

Iolanthe was well played by Andrea Marshall with a nice warm tone of voice and a solid connection with the lines delivered. Janet Marshall played Phyllis with a cute, playful side again very much connecting with her dialogue but more importantly having a beautiful soprano voice to deliver her wonderful songs.

As in previous years I once again very much enjoyed this societies rendition of this fanciful Gilbert & Sullivan operetta. There was a very full audience for early week who all thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

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