The Sorcerer

The Sorcerer is a two–act comic opera based on Gilbert`s earlier writings, “An Elixir of Love”, with a plot involving a love potion that would resulting in everyone falling in love with each other, with the idea that love itself, is a leveller of all ranks, classes and creeds.

In the village of Ploverleigh, everyone is there to celebrate the betrothal of Alexis and Aline. Whilst everyone in the village seems in jovial spirit, Constance is not. We learn (through her telling her mother, Mrs Partlet), that she is secretly in love with Dr Daly the local vicar, who laments his past and his lack of luck in his love life. Mrs Partlet attempts to match the pair up, but Dr Daly cannot accept that a girl like Constance could possibly be interested in him. Alexis and Aline arrive, and subsequently we learn that Alexis father, Sir Marmaduke, and Aline`s mother (Lady Sangazure) have been concealing feelings for each other which respectability demands remain hidden. After their betrothal ceremony, Alexis (of the firm belief that men and women should be joined in matrimony without distinction of rank) imparts his plans to Aline-he has invited a sorcerer, John Wellington Wells to make a love potion- enough for the entire village (except married people, of course). Wells mixes the potion, and adds it to a teapot. The villagers drink the potion (except Alexis, Aline and Wells) and promptly fall unconscious. 

The villagers awake, and promptly fall in love with the first person of the opposite sex they see- with rather odd matches ensuing. Alexis declares that Aline and he should also partake in the potion, and seal their love. Aline is hurt by his lack of trust, but in the end relents and takes the potion without telling him………..meets Dr Daly and falls in love with him. Alexis pleads with Wells to reverse the spell-he can, but there is a catch (isn`t there always with this sort of thing), the catch being that either Alexis or Wells surrender their life to Ahrimanes. Wells gives up his life, the spell breaks and the villagers then pair up according to their true feelings and everybody lives happily ever after.

Hornby Occasionals` take on this story was set in the nineteen fifties, opening with Mrs Partlett reading a bedtime story to her son, Harry, ably played by Dylan Roberts. He falls asleep, with the story taking place in his dreams. The opening “Ring forth ye bells” was sung with gusto, as were all chorus numbers. The chorus were generally set in an arc around a maypole, leaving much of the dancing and movement to a group of energetic younger dancers- the Jumparound Dancers from the Turnaround Dance Theatre- always nice to see younger people introduced to a different genre, thus introducing (in many cases) their families to it too.

Mrs Partlet and her daughter Constance, were played well by Avril Haydock, standing in at the 11th hour for Denise-Dew Hughes, and Angela Dixon- the rapport between them felt as if they`d been rehearsing together from day one. The forlorn Dr Daly, was played by Rodger McPhail, building up the character throughout the production- you could tell he really enjoyed getting his hands on this part, and many others` parts too!

The roles of the betrothed, Alexis and Aline were played very well by Peter Bowden and Rachel Mercer, vocally complementing each other, and impressing with their solo work.

Sue Richardson (Lady Sangazure) and John Sutherland (Sir Marmaduke) provided great support, as they rekindled their lost love of days gone by.

John Atkinson confidently played the role of John Wellington Wells as an “Arthur Daley” like salesman, a level of self-assurance and conviction that Arthur himself would have been proud of.

The chorus members worked tirelessly, maintaining their levels of concentration throughout the production.

Set in one place, scene changes were carried out with minimum fuss, with lighting and effects used to enhance the piece.

The orchestra, under the magic wand of Musical Director Richard Bromley, sounded  marvellous.

Once again, David Towers weaved his magic, and gave the production a slightly different “Potter-esque” style and feel to the show.

Congratulations and thank you Hornby, on a fine production and your hospitality

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