Patience

Patience is a comic opera with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert. Set in the 1870’s and ‘80s in England it tells of the maidens in a village who are besotted with Reginald Bunthorne, a handsome poet, but he has eyes only for the simple milkmaid, Patience. Bunthorne’s artistic ways are just an act to attract women to him - he doesn’t even like poetry!

Besides, Patience is in love with her childhood sweetheart, who happens to be a real poet named Archibald Grosvenor, but feels that she cannot marry him because he is just too perfect. In the meantime, the platoon of Dragoon Guards, that were meant to marry the village maidens, find themselves dismayed and perplexed by their sudden loss of prospects.

PB Theatricals Youth Production of Patience follows the same pattern as the Young Adult Production of The Yeoman of the Guard did the previous week in that they are giving two performances in two different locations. The company held auditions on the 5th. August for both of these productions. The Yeoman of the Guard was performed on the 11th. and 12th. and Patience, with rehearsals starting on the 13th., was on the 19th. and 20th. August. So, within a fortnight, both these productions come to fruition and one would think that it would be an impossible undertaking but somehow they manage to achieve this and I might add, with tremendous success. 

The set had a similar formation as was for The Yeoman but the side flats this time were beautifully painted with garden scenes. The pillars, with a flamingo atop one and a stork on the other, and   the small raised dais were bedecked with garlands of flowers, the banner was replaced with a hanging arrangement of flowers and lights and Ivy leaves were draped over the side screens and there was an old milk churn to one side.

The role of Patience was superbly played by Lie Jennings. She so naturally and confidently portrayed the naivety, the somewhat innocence of the role to perfection but showed a definite steely streak and brought out the humour with great perception. Her fantastic singing voice was absolutely exquisite, reaching those high notes so easily - she was just amazing and I couldn’t believe that she was only sixteen. The two poets, Reginald Bunthorne and Archibald Grosvenor were a brilliant foil for one another. Adam KIngston was outstanding as Reginald Bunthorne. He was totally over-the-top with his outlandish, foppish and exuberant theatrical mannerisms (as well suited the role) and together with good singing, acting and some very nimble footwork, he really gave a first class performance and his final ‘rejection’ was so effectively achieved and, I might add, he is only thirteen! Equally outstanding, in a very different way, was Karl Morewood as Archibald Grosvenor. He was indeed a true poet. He had great stage presence as he charismatically and so assuredly demonstrated his vanity and self satisfaction. His powerful singing voice was most evident in his numerous songs and the duet with Bunthorpe ‘When I go out of door’ was a real hoot. They were a great ‘pairing’. Freya Carter had a definite air of authority and together with a fine and powerful singing voice gave a splendid portrayal as The Lady Angela as did Philippa Morewood as The Lady Saphir and Olivia Davey as The Lady Ella both, having lovely sweet singing voices. Greta Buckler was excellent as The Lady Jane. She was feisty, funny, and quite fearsome but brought out the pathos of unrequited love so well. The duet ‘So go to him, and say to him’ with Bunthorne was just great. When they were joined by The Rapturous Maidens, played by Rihannah Maia-Lomas, Connie Oxbury, Halle Thompson and Mo Dunning they were all terrific. Their love-sick posturing and singing was top-notch and their plaintive cries of ‘misery’ were just divine. As Colonel Calverley, Max Wood was super and his singing of ‘If you want a receipt for that popular mystery’ (regarded as a ‘patter song’), was so well delivered and enunciated. Bryn Mashburn as The Duke of Dunstable definitely brought out the humour in the role with his cheeky grin and smiling face and Donald Mace was every inch the upright Major Murgatroyd. These three together with the Officers of the Dragoon Guards played by Tom Hale, Sam Higginbottom, Benedict Parkin and Jack Robinson were a formidable group. They were stalwart yet quite entertaining as they sang and manoeuvred around the stage in their red and black uniforms and magnificent white-plumed helmets all except that of the Duke, whose plume looked like a long green tinselled Christmas decoration - just perfect! Good, silent support came from James Sweetman as Mr. Bunthorne’s Solicitor and Lauren May-Lomas was Daisy the adorable cow. Would you believe there was also a guest appearance by André Rieu, well actually, it was Martin Thiselton who delighted us with a violin solo. An absolute highlight came from Max Wood, Donald Mace and Bryn Washburn aka the Colonel, the Major and the Duke as they sang ‘It’s clear that mediaeval art’. They were dressed as ‘ladies’ wearing fabulous wigs and attire and their antics were just hilarious - I loved it. When Bunthorne threatens Grosvenor with a curse unless he becomes an ordinary man Grosvenor very soon after appears in a silvery wig, jeans, and a very summery bright shirt over a T-shirt and The Rapturous Maidens flock on to the stage and surround him dressed as Barbie look-a-likes, complete with pink baseball caps. Patience now chooses Grosvenor, the Dragoons choose their maidens and poor Bunthorne is left alone with just a Lily for company.

The singing and acting throughout was first-class and together with appropriate costumes, a good lighting plot and the excellent accompaniment by James Gillett on keyboard this was a truly wonderful and most entertaining production delivered by a tremendously impressive and talented group of young people. Many congratulations to Director Pamela Leighton-Bilik, to Musical Director Rebecca Anderson and her Assistant Martin Thiselton, to Accompanist James Gillett and indeed to everyone else involved. Thanks also for the very friendly and warm welcome that I received. 

 

 

 

 

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