Ruddigore

This modern take on the Victorian blood and thunder melodrama was set in a Yorkshire seaside town which was celebrating it’s Goth Weekend.  The resort’s resident professional bridesmaids will be redundant unless they can persuade the local beauty to marry either a wealthy farmer or a dashing sailor.  In the meantime, in a local castle, the baronets suffer under an ancient curse.

I must start with congratulating the entire company of only eighteen on the quality of their singing which was absolutely first class.  The harmonies really came through right from the opening and great credit must be given to the MD and cast.

The principals didn’t let the side down either.  Due to unavoidable circumstances Rebecca Kelly-Evans was unable to appear as Rose Maybud but what a super replacement we had in Joanna Goldspink.  She has a glorious voice and her diction was excellent in a wonderful performance.

Tim Tubbs was very funny as farmer Robin Oakapple, extracting as much as he possibly could from the updated script.  His faithful retainer, Old Adam Goodhart, played by Chris Gray, was also enjoyable.  Damon Hotchin played sailor Richard Dauntless very well and there was excellent support from Lesley Machen as Dame Hannah, a clairvoyant, and Dave Blaker playing Sir Despard Murgatroyd, a wicked baronet.

Ghostly baronet Sir Roderic Murgatroyd appears in the 2nd half and was strongly performed by Jonathan Jeeves and his duet, There Grew a Little Flower, with Dame Hannah was the standout number for me.  The traditional patter-style numbers in the production were also well performed.  Principals were well backed up by Kathryn Irwin as Mad Margaret, a spurned lover, the five bridesmaids, five Bucks and Ancestors and a small group of dancers.

The performance was well accompanied on two keyboards and the set and lighting were just right and the good audience seemed to appreciate this mixture of old and new.

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