The Gondoliers

On a typically dark, wet evening in March it was a pleasure to be transported to a colourfully costumed Venice. A small orchestra, under the enthusiastic baton of Judith Wallace, initially set the mood with Sullivan’s delightful melodies and thereafter sympathetically accompanied the singers.

Already working with a reduced number of chorus members, the society then lost one of its leading men due to illness and with three weeks to go was hugely grateful to Michael Bond for stepping in. As Giuseppe, a part he had never played before, he achieved a successful partnership with Richard Northcliffe (Marco), whose confident playing must have proved invaluable. A strong portrayal of Tessa by Jenny Parker, together with a lively Gianetta (Claire Bennett) completed the quartet.

Of course the real comedy is provided by the outrageous Duke and Duchess of Plaza Toro, fully exploited by Brian Hurst and Julie Bee and Ray Smith did full justice to the patter songs while proving that a Grand Inquisitor does not have to be large in stature to be effective.

The main cast was completed by Loren Parker, the haughty Cassilda, hiding her love for Luiz, the Duke’s attendant (Tim Whitehead).

Well done everyone for overcoming a difficult rehearsal period to provide the audience with an entertaining evening.

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