Ruddigore

Director Kay Rowan previously directed Ruddigore in 2001.   Jane Gray (Rose Maybud) acted her role with delightful singing and acting.  Kate Youll (Dame Hannah) gave a good performance and told the story of the evil Murgatroyds, namely the fact that the eldest son was condemned to commit a crime every single day. Dame Hannah has remained faithful to the memory of her old love Peter Francis (Sir Roderick) who had tired of his evil doing and suffered a dreadful fate ten years before, and is now a portrait in the gallery. Ben Dowsett (Sir Ruthven) gave a good account as the current Baronet of Ruddigore and in the guise of Robin Oakapple a humble peasant wooing naive Rose Maybud.  Simon Jenkins (Richard Dauntless) a sailor, who is also wooing Rose, delighted the audience with his comic acting and singing, especially his sailor’s hornpipe. The plot thickens when the younger brother Nigel Evans –Thompson (Despard), commanding attention with powerful singing and acting, the rightful heir of the curse meets his lost love Sarah Jennings (Mad Margaret) who still loves him despite his wickedness.  Sarah displayed her talents as a very realistic Mad Woman. All is revealed in Act Two when the portraits come to life and the mix ups and misunderstandings are all explained, everyone is reunited with their past and present loves.  A very complicated story line superbly directed by Kay Rowan and well performed by the cast and chorus. Steven Moore conducted the orchestra complimenting the singers.  Stage Manager Robert Hudd and his team constructed two excellent sets. Portraits painted by Claire Mattey were also  excellent.  Very well done AODS.

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