Strictly Patience

Once again Director Linda Milne has done an excellent job updating the work of Gilbert & Sullivan. This time she has updated Patience to Strictly Patience and set the action around the Elstree Studios at Borehamwood where Strictly Come Dancing is broadcast from. At the same time Patience is now a florist and this is more in keeping with the updated setting. The update gave the show a much more contemporary feel and worked well.

Through clever lyrics, playful dialogue, and lively music, the work humorously exposes how easily people follow fashionable trends—especially in art, poetry, and romance.

Patience, the florist, believes love must be self-sacrificing and painful, which leaves her confused when she tries to understand what real love should be. Jennifer Murray-Smith captured the demands of the role giving an assured and believable performance.

Kenneth Maciver as Reginald Bunthorne, a self-proclaimed “aesthetic poet” and in this version dance judge, gave an engaging performance as he thrived on exaggerated melancholy and enjoyed the attention of his devoted admirers.

Archibald Anton du Grosvenor (Andrew Murray), the truly handsome and effortlessly perfect poet, becomes frustrated because his natural perfection leaves him unable to experience the suffering that Patience thinks love requires and he worked hard to ensure this came across clearly.

Jane, the most sensible of Bunthorne’s admirers, humorously laments her fading youth while remaining fiercely loyal to aesthetic ideals. Frances McCafferty was once again in fine form delivering an enthralling performance.

Colonel Calverley, one of the Dragoon Guards officers, struggles to keep his dignity while trying to adapt to the strange aesthetic fashions that have captivated the women. Robin Ozog was in fine form in this role brining his many years of experience to capture the role perfectly.

Major Murgatroyd similarly attempts to embrace aesthetic culture, often with comically awkward results. In the role Eric Brown ensured none of the more light-hearted moments in the show were missed.

The Duke of Dunstable played by Theodore Rankine-Foudraine, becomes an unexpectedly desirable match once the aesthetic craze begins to fade giving a well-rounded performance.

The three remaining Rapturous Maidens (Angela, Saphir and Ella) played by Sinead Beveridge, Sharon Edgar and Moira Duncan all captured the essence of their roles and contributed to the overall success of the production.

All principals whether in solo, group or full chorus numbers were in fine voice and delivered the songs with ease, clear dictation and in keeping with their characters. The chorus of Rapturous Ladies and Dragoon Gaurds added greatly to the enjoyment of the show.

Another success for Dunfermline G&S – keep up the good work of keeping G&S alive.

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