Patience

This collaboration by Gilbert and Sullivan was the sixth of their operettas.  It opened in 1881 and satirized the aesthetic movement which has held sway during the 1870s and 80s.  probable because modern audience find the concept and content harder to access and relate to Patience never appears as popular as some of the other G&S works.  However it does have some lovely music and is full of humour and I think it deserves more attention.

The Arts Band production transferred Patience from its mural idyll to a slightly run-down hotel in the 1960s where patience is a barmaid – an actual poetry recital is to be given while at the same time the local Dragoon Guards will be holding their reunion dinner.  The guards ladies have deserted them and spend their time swooning over the romantic poet, Reginald Bunthorne, who revels in the attention.  Of all the ladies he prefers Patience who says she has never loved.  Then a long lost love Archibald Grosvenor arrives.  He is another poet but as he is perfect Patience rejects him on favour of Bunthorne.  All the ladies transfer their affections to Grosvenor which after a short time, he finds urksome.  A jealous Bunthorne threatens to curse Grosvenor at which point he decides to become ordinary and so wins back Patience. The other ladies returns to their former loves leaving Bunthrone – alone!

Patience was sung and acted with sweet simplicity by Angela Mayes whose style really seemed to appeal to the audience.  The ladies led by Lady Angela (Carly Jayne Panter) Lady Saphir (Rebecca Smith) and Lady Jane (Petrina Oliver) all three themselves into the roles of adoring fans with much gusto.  The Dragoons all gave stylish interpretations of regimental uprightness, suitably attired in smart blazers adorned with medals Mark Hanson deserves a mention for his portrayal of the Duke of Dunstable – a real upper class twit!

Both poets quite stole the show, Louie Utterson made a wonderfully of fete, foppish Bunthorne and Brett Hanson was the outrageous Haliah heart throb, Grosvenour.  They played  out the comedy in their roles to the utmost and their interpretational skills and strong vocals shone through.

As this production was set in the swinging sixties the ladies costumes were a psychedelic explosion of flower power.  Nice, once again, to hear a full orchestra accompanying the whole show.

Well done to everyone on a fun filled enjoyable evening.

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