Ruddigore

I was pleased to be able to attend your production at the Fetcham Village Hall last week. The building is welcoming and full of character and, despite the small stage, it felt a more appropriate venue for a G and S than a large modern theatre.

As the Stage Director, Keith had to use both the floor and stairs to accommodate the cast and I wondered how the four ancestors coming out of the frames could be achieved in that space. He approached it, as he clearly had to do, in a completely different way and it worked very well. He did a really good job with the direction and produced a visually attractive show.

The Musical Director Roger Wilman was a joy to behold– he smiled at the cast the whole time and his hard work with the musical side of the production paid off brilliantly. The company produced a wonderful sound and the dynamics were second to none. As the only musician David Mortimer was sound and sympathetic to the performers. They made a good team.

There isn’t a lot of opportunity for choreography in most G and S’s and the space was limited - never the less Gill Eve managed to put together surefooted movement, and I especially enjoyed the graceful dance in the finale of Act One.

The bridesmaids' opening number was full of interest as the ladies portrayed different characters and mostly didn’t seem fazed by being so close to the audience. They were not great in number but produced a wonderful sound, led by Zorah.

In the role of Dame Hannah, Jane Seymour acted and sang well and ‘There Grew A Little Flower’ was delightful.

Katie Winfield gave a first class performance as Rose, she was charming and spirited, and as Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd - AKA Robin Oakapple, - Jacob Elsey was also very good - together they made an attractive couple.

The role of Richard Dauntless was played with obvious enjoyment by Jacob Taylor who added nimbleness to his other talents as he danced the hornpipe with the ladies chorus.

Peter Grove had a lovely stage presence as the old retainer Adam - deferential but also strong.

Mad Margaret is a wonderful character and Lynda certainly did it justice. She showed the vulnerability underneath the quite scary madness and gave a most convincing interpretation.

Paul Winder was splendid as Sir Despard  Murgatroyd, sinister and powerful. The duet with MM ‘I Once Was A Very Abandoned Person’ was excellent.

Playing Sir Roderick who steps out of his portrait, Stephen Taylor gave a notable rendition of ‘When The Night Wind Howls’.

In their supporting roles of Zorah and Ruth, Selena Edney and Sue Mortimer were confident and acquitted themselves well.

Lighting was super and added greatly to the presentation.

The scenery was suitable, I liked the library, and the properties /furniture were also fitting.

Your programme cover is attractive and all the necessary information is included on the inside pages.

Costumes were mostly fine. The ladies dresses were pretty and the cassocks served the purpose for the ancestors.

My only slightly negative comment is that, although I realise that there just weren’t enough men for the portraits, I wondered if it would have been possible to work with the three available ones plus Sir Roderick. It’s very hard for a lady to pass as a man on the stage, whatever they wear and even when in semi- darkness.

That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed your production of ‘Ruddigore’ . It was a great pity that there weren’t more people in the audience – they missed a treat!

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