Patience

Bunthorne is a posturing poet, loved by all the local village maidens but whose heart belongs to Patience, the milkmaid, who has never loved until Archibald Grosvenor, her childhood friend and now poet turns up, but as he is perfect, Patience rejects him for Bunthorne. The village maidens transfer their affections from Bunthorne to Grosvenor (with the exception of Lady Jane). Meanwhile the local troop of Dragoon Guards are desperately trying various ploys to regain the affections of their ladies.  As is the way with these things, everything works out in the end to everyone`s satisfaction except possibly, Bunthorne`s.

As this story line is basically a satirical look at the ‘aesthetic movement’ of the 1870’s- art being beautiful rather than ‘art for art’s sake.’  this concept could be lost on modern audiences. However, Hornby Occasionals came up with the  idea of setting the production in the ‘flower power’ era of the late 1960’s - a period of equal pretentiousness and aesthetic values, yet having a vibe unique to the period.

Tom Beck and Alexander Taylor (Reginald Bunthorne and Archibald Grosvenor) played their characters with ease - perfect vocals, diction and timing.

Graham Beevers (Colonel Calverley), together with Tony Hindle (Major Murgatroyd), and Producer, David Towers stepping in as The Duke of Dunstable complimented each other well throughout the production and provided some wonderful lovesick comic moments, especially in “It's clear that medieval art”.

Lorna Sherrin gave an excellent performance as a Mrs Overall-esque Patience, her sublime timing and facial expressions a joy to watch.

The Rapturous Maidens all put in great performances. Becky Dyson, Angela Dixon and Rachel Mercer (The Lady Angela, The Lady Ella and The Lady Saphir) sang and acted beautifully in their numbers. The comedy role was of Lady Jane was played expertly by Sue Richardson - great vocals and immaculate comic timing- never once out of character, a `plain Jane`, this was not. It was like, groovy man!

The chorus were well drilled, both in movement and vocals, I could understand every single word.
Musical Director (and Chorus Master), Richard Bromley had obviously worked hard with this group. Under Richard`s enthusiastic, expert baton the orchestra complimenting this hard work.

Producer David Towers` learned direction of this piece was masterly- seamlessly fitting into the production he so obviously cared for, knowing every single nuance of the piece.
 
I must admit that Gilbert & Sullivan has never really been my forte, although supporting (and appearing in) productions, I have never really `got it`- sitting in an audience where all the `elders` are laughing and guffawing, whilst I wondered what it was that I must have missed- tonight I laughed and guffawed with the rest of them, a real testament to the production, and the Producer`s knowledge of the product.
 
Thank you Hornby Occasionals for the re-eduction and your hospitality.

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