The Grand Duke

Tettenhall Operatic Company never fight shy of tackling the unknown or rarely performed operettas.  This year was no exception and their challenge was “The Grand Duke.”  This operetta was completely new to me and I resisted the temptation to read the synopsis in the programme but decided to let the performers on stage tell me the story which had been adapted by Julian Souter.

I must confess that I didn’t understand all of the adaptation, particularly the significance of a “sausage roll”. A free one was given out at the interval to every member of the audience who purchased a programme. A very novel idea I am sure you will agree.

The stage was filled with lovely singing voices and with good diction from the leading principals, especially the two male characters The Grand Duke (Paul Roberts) and Ludwig (Rob Mead).

Once again Terry Green was the Musical Director and the orchestration was in the capable hands of Ian Stephenson.

It was unfortunate that I was only able to be present for Act I. The friend I had taken with me was overcome by the heat in the hall and we had to leave at the interval – I missed my free sausage roll!

Thank you to the Company for understanding my dilemma and also the fact that I had commitments on the remaining two night’s performances.

I look forward to the “Festive Fayre” in November.

 

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