The Gondoliers

The Gondoliers is one of Gilbert & Sullivan’s most popular operettas and this was a production full of energy and enthusiasm with every person on stage contributing something to the production. The bright, lively, somewhat lengthy opening number involving the contadine with their roses white and red eagerly awaiting the arrival of the gondoliers' immediately demonstrated that this was a well rehearsed chorus who had paid great attention to the part singing. Indeed this was one of the strengths of the show. In both the full chorus numbers and ensemble work involving smaller groups the balance of voices was excellent .The finales of both acts, ‘Try We Life-Long’ with Don Alhambra and the Ducal party and ‘In A Contemplative Fashion’ with Marco, Guiseppe, Gianetta and Tessa were classic examples.

There were some very good principal performances. Marco (Martijn van Waveren) and Guiseppe (Martin Hay) were a good double act, both very relaxed in their roles revelling in the transition from humble gondoliers to the possibility of becoming king, enjoying the splendour of the palace at the start of Act 2.

The brides they had chosen Gianetta (Sarah MacKinlay) and Tessa (Katie Bell) had bubbly personalities and good voices and both convinced us of their thrill at being chosen as  brides but also their displeasure at knowing that one of them might be left on the shelf when Don Alhambra, very well played by Paul Cooke, tells them that one of their husbands was married when a baby!

The Ducal party too were a regal quartet with Kenneth Anderson a spritely Duke of Plaza Toro kept in his place by a somewhat domineering Duchess (Angela Bell)

Their daughter Casilda (Amy Glen) is secretly in love with Luiz (Rupert Henderson) the attendant to the royal family. Their love duet ‘There Was a Time’ was quite touching.

Of course everything works out well in the end when it turns out that Luiz is in fact heir to the throne and the happy couples are reunited. There are lots of supporting characters in ‘The Gondoliers’ and these were all well cast.

Credit must be given to Morag Pendreich for creating simple but effective sets which were used to advantage on the small stage and to the wardrobe team for such colourful costumes.

A very clever touch in the programme was the ‘Gondoliers Glossary’ which gave a translation of the Italian phrases and Gilbert’s use of words.

This was an excellent choice of show for this group as it gave an opportunity for the youngsters in the cast, the more experienced players and the gutsy chorus  to show off their talents and there is a great deal of talent in this small company. It is always a pleasure to visit this group who never fail to provide an evening of total enjoyment.

Congratulations all.

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