The Grand Duke

The Grand Duke is the last Gilbert and Sullivan operetta which opened on 7 March 1896 at the Savoy Theatre, London and ran for only 123 performances.The Plot is convoluted even by G&S standards. It involves a group of actors who take political control of Pfennig-Halbpfennig.  Naturally, the story contains a number of farcical moments one being that the secret sign by which they recognise each other is to eat a sausage roll. That’s only for starters.  A Notary suggests they invoke a century-old law involving a Statutory Duel.  By way of this duel Ludwig, an actor, replaces the company manager, Ernest, and then he replaces the miserly Grand Duke Rudolph of Pfennig Halbfennig, after "killing" each of them by drawing the ace from a deck of cards in two "statutory" duels. By winning the statutory duels, Ludwig assumes all of Ernest's and Rudolph's rights and obligations. Soon he finds himself with far more wives, and prospective wives, than he knows what to do with. 

This Company have got staging down to a fine art in the huge Downing Farm barn.  Backcloths and other staging is always impressive and matched by the imaginative auditorium decor which always includes an appropriate pub sign over the bar.  Costumes are always gorgeous and this year was no exception.  In particular those of The Princess of Monte Carlo and The Baroness von Krakenfeldt which were exceptional.  The lighting was very good with a couple of really nice touches, like the silhouette of Ernest’s cloak.

The show calls for more principal quality voices than the typical G&S operetta in fact I personally think it calls for quality voices throughout the Ensemble too.  The score sets some challenges and well done to everyone for keeping faces serious whilst singing the virtues of sausage rolls. Musical Director and Conductor Angela Roebuck and the 14-piece orchestra, played through the pretty difficult score in a manner that supported the players rather than dominated them. 

Without exception the principal players were excellent.  William Hale as Ludwig. Gavin Jarvis as Ernest, Jeremy Lander (singing of body parts) in the titular role, Tim Winn as Tannhäuser, Anna Murgatroyd as Julia and Lizzy East as Lisa.  Great support too from Sally Goldsmith as Baroness von Krakenfeldt, Caille Peri as the Princess of Monte Carlo and Øistein Andersen as her father The Prince of Monte Carlo. However it would require much more space than available to mention each named principal role, but it would be wrong not to mention the work and effort played by each and every one to bring this piece to the stage, as well as the superb chorus.Lynne Bullen’s production of The Grand Duke had sparkle and energy.  The action had a good pace and vocally ensemble numbers and principal performances were impressive. This was the first time I had seen The Grand Duke as it is not done often but I really enjoyed it.  The music is great even if the plot tests the little grey cells more than usual.  Congratulations to everyone involved. Bravo!

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