Patience

For several years I have been privileged to attend productions by this society, which, as their name implies, involves the performances of operettas by W S Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan. As a long- time admirer of the works of this great partnership I have derived much pleasure from watching this company’s previous productions. “Patience” ridicules the Aesthetic Movement of the 1870s and 80s prevalent in England and parts of Europe; in my opinion it contains some of Sullivan’s most appealing music and Gilbert’s wittiest comments. Though well-received at its launch in 1881 it appears to have lost some of its popularity along the way compared with some of the other G&S works.

 Having performed principal roles in many of the company’s previous productions, Ruth Palmer was appointed Director for this show and was able to draw on her considerable knowledge and experience to guide the cast. As the story satirizes romantic love, fads, hypocrisy, pretentiousness, and mocks rural simplicity and military bluster, Ruth ensured that everyone on stage was able to make a worthy contribution to this enactment.    

It was a delight to see several newcomers had joined the company, many of whom were young people taking part in a G&S operetta for the first time. Also making his Gilbert and Sullivan debut was Musical Director – Gavin Cooper - who, as well as conducting members of the orchestra, did much to boost the confidence of the vocalists. Appearing on stage for the first time in a G&S show as principal players were Sophie Hurst (as Patience – a dairy maid), whose young voice matched her part perfectly, and John Clayton (as Archibald Grosvenor) who quickly attracted the ladies away from his rival, poet Andy Lee (as Reginald Bunthorne).

Ken Wainwright (as Colonel Calverley), Ian Ferguson (as Major Murgatroyd) and Laurence Lewis (as Lieut. the Duke of Dunstable) provided strong leadership for the very smart company of Dragoon Guards and I was pleased to see that a very keen young man’s persistence enabled him to enlist! Judith Newton (as Lady Angela), Nickie Kenning (as Lady Saphir) and Elizabeth Cunningham (as Lady Ella) led a band of “love-sick maidens” who appeared to be permanently in a state of rapture! Margaret Wainwright (as Lady Jane) delivered a superb performance during which she displayed her immense comedic talent.

This work was performed on an impressive set by a large cast that was elegantly costumed, effectively made-up and suitably coiffured

Congratulations to all who were involved in this splendid team effort.

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