THE SORCERER

The Sorcerer is a little performed Gilbert & Sullivan, but one which has a lot of humour, and some charming music.  This version certainly brought out both the humour and the slightly darker side, and I thought it was a good production for the Director’s first time with PBGS.

Also a first with PBGS for the MD, who showed a good understanding of the music, which a very experienced G&S Society performed well.  The band got a particularly round sound for just three players – keyboard, flute and violin – I enjoyed the overture very much, and they also accompanied well, allowing the singers to be heard.  I was very impressed with the flute player.  I very much enjoyed the quartet – Incantation.

How nice to see a production without mics!  Sound and lighting were good throughout, and I thought the minimal set worked well.

Costumes as always were good, within the period and very suitable.  The Sorcerer’s costume was beautiful, very colourful.

Good to see that PBGS put thought into being inclusive, by using the flat stage, so that their wheelchair user and those with slight mobility problems were able to take part.

Sue Wookey (Mrs Partlett) gave us a wonderful character study, well sung too, the sort of part that was just made for Sue – allowing her voice and facial expressions full rein.

Katharine Crew (Constance Partlett) in her first solo part, showed good acting skills, and really got the naivety of the girl.  Perhaps a little tentative to start with, but gaining in confidence, nicely achieved.

Stephen Hoath (Dr Daly) has a lovely voice, which lent itself well to this all-seeing, multi-faceted parson.  I liked the way he engaged the audience too.  A very accomplished performance.

Julia MacGillivray Mark looked great as Hermione – she made the most of her part, whilst manoeuvring well on the stage.  A lovely addition.

David Crew (Sir Marmaduke Pointdextre) added his presence to the proceedings, showing good vocalisation, both strong volume and some lovely quiet moments, always a pleasure to see David perform.

Toby Wheatley as Alexis Pointdextre seemed to really relish his role, very lively, much expression and of course, very well sung.  I thought it was probably the best role I have seen him in, allowing his comic side to come to the fore.

Emma Crew (Aline Sangazure) gave us a charming and winsome performance, a lightness of touch contrasted well with the other more serious ladies of the cast.  Very well done.

Alison Gibbs was a very regal Lady Annabella Sangazure, I enjoyed her characterisation – a good contrast to the other ladies, and nicely sung.

Paul Kerswill as the Notary gave us a suitably slimey character – he plays these slightly nasty characters so well.

The final principal was Jessica Hallett as Jane Wellington-Wells.  Nice to see a female Sorcerer, which Jessica sang and acted to the max!  She has a lovely voice, but also expresses everything in her face and moves, extremely well done.

The ensemble backed their Principals well and there was some lovely singing and harmonies, I especially enjoyed With Heart and Voice.

All in all a thoroughly good evening’s entertainment, with some angst and a lot of humour, very well achieved.

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