Patience in Concert

EDGAS’ production of ‘Patience’ was ready to take to the stage in March 2020 but due to Covid and lockdown it had to be cancelled on the day they moved in to the Kings Theatre. Determined not to forget all the hard work which had been done, EDGAS made the decision to present a one off ‘Patience in Concert’ in the beautiful Canongate Kirk on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.

The company very successfully captured the balance between a straightforward concert and a full scale production. With the use of a few costumes and props, the principals all established very believable characters. Some narration combined with bits of the dialogue from the script allowed the whole story to unfold smoothly.

Most of the main characters were from the original cast but there were a couple of new faces. Ian Lawson really went for it as the aesthetic poet Reginald Bunthorne with his long wig and velvet jacket delivering  his numbers with vitality and animation. The dashing William Costello has a superb voice and played well as Bunthorne’s rival poet Archibald Grosvenor who all the girls fall for. ‘When I go out of Door’ was delivered crisply by these two poets.

Bunthorne, who is thwarted by the milkmaid Patience as she falls for Grosvenor, eventually finds love in the formidable Lady Jane. Rae Lamond gave a strong portrayal of the austere Lady Jane and her duet with Bunthorne was bouncy and well moved in the small acting area.

The somewhat naive Patience was convincingly played by Annabel Hamid whilst the three Ladies Angela ,Saphir and Ella were well portrayed by Claire Lumsden, Emma Barker and Caroline Hood a vocally strong, animated trio.

The Colonel, Major and Duke (Zorbey Turkalp, Craig Macbeth and Peter Cushley) had an excellent blend of voices. Initially upright military men they had no hesitation in striking a pose as poets, with an addition of wigs and flowers, realising that this was the only way to attract the attention of the ladies.

Whilst the principal characters played at the front, the chorus of love sick maidens and dragoons were positioned well behind the 23 piece orchestra but were heard clearly. The quality of the ensemble singing was as always with EDGAS very powerful and harmonious as was the wonderful sound of this well controlled orchestra.

Patience may not be the most popular or well known G&S operetta but it has the most delightful score and it was a real pleasure to hear this music sung so well and supported by this fabulous orchestra.

A performance like this is very different from performing on a theatre stage but this production was very much alive and paid a real tribute to the operetta. A most relaxing, fun and enjoyable evening’s entertainment.

 

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