The Sorcerer

The Sorcerer is one of the lesser produced Gilbert & Sullivan operettas and in fact not presented by Swaffham Bulbeck Summer Theatre since the year 2011.

Unusually for G&S the setting is England. The superb backdrop (by Scenic Solutions, Suffolk) was cleverly augmented by scenery legs each side of the stage graduating to blend in. With a stone balustrade upstage it all looked splendid.  Nice bunting a tea table and an off stage refreshment tent at the entrance of which a cleverly concocted menu list extolling the virtues of products from local Cambridgeshire villages which I realised included comestibles from the lyrics “Now to the Banquet We Press”.  Costumes, especially for the ladies, were beautiful and worn well.  David Stubbing’s lighting design was fine although actors didn’t always manage to find their light in the follow spot during the night setting.   

In the village of Ploverleigh everyone is there to celebrate the betrothal of Alexis, played rather nervously but mellifluously on the opening night by Paul Murray-John and Aline, beautifully played by Caille Peri, whose lovely voice did full justice to Aline’s songs.  The two leads were well supported by William Hale’s humorous characterisation of the Vicar, Dr Daly and David Gower’s excellent performance as John Wellington Wells (The Sorcerer). Both Hale and Gower’s enthusiasm throughout the performance was enjoyable to watch.  Other performances in this thirty-two strong cast more than worthy of mention are Caroline Dyson (Mrs Partlet), Vic Olphin (her daughter, Constance) and Sally Goldsmith (Lady Sangazure) all in excellent voice and well matched too by Øistein Anderson as Sir Marmaduke and John Yates as the Notary.

The talented nine-piece orchestra were absolutely excellent, never once overpowering the performers and, as always with this society, the ensemble work was first rate.  The chorus of friends, waiting staff, villagers and sprites all made a great contribution and their freeze (following consumption of the love–philtre via a cup of tea) was 100% motionless. I loved the second half of the show when everything started to unravel.

As mentioned above The Sorcerer is one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s least performed operettas, which is a shame as it has lots of humour and the songs are lovely. Director Lynne Bullen has certainly maintained her track record of excellent G&S productions with SBST, supported once again this year by Lucas Elkin as Musical Director.  Both certainly have the knack of getting the best out of their casts. 

A large number of people come together each year to present the society’s summer production who don’t appear on stage but who put in a tremendous effort to turn the Downing Farm Barn into a 250 seat auditorium.  The company are having to move from Downing Farm but remain determined to continue bringing Gilbert and Sullivan to all those who love it at a new venue. 

Thank you for an enjoyable evening and I wish you all future success as you begin a new chapter of Swaffham Bulbeck Summer Theatre’s history in a new venue. 

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