The Sorcerer

The Sorcerer

W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan

Performed by St David’s Player

At The Barnfield Theatre -Thursday 9th October 2023

 Directed by Nick Lawrence and Iryna Ilnytska

Musical Directors Nicky and Mark Perry

The first full length operetta and the third collaboration between Mr Gilbert and Mr Sullivan, The Sorcerer, is rarely performed by societies, sadly, as it is a hilarious comic opera with a strong story of love potions, hidden attraction and a meddlesome tenor lead, who wishes to level the classes by using passion, lust, infatuation and ultimately, love which he believes levels all.

The audience are greeted with a well built and colourful set placing the company in the gardens of Sir Marmaduke’s mansion with a beautifully painted backdrop, raised terrace, may-pole and tea-tent and situated in the Devon village of Ploverleigh. As The Sorcerer enters through the auditorium and on to the stage, advising those watching to turn off their mobiles, the story began.

The Sorcerer, dressed in a brightly patterned waistcoat, brown trousers, brown bowler hat and carrying his briefcase of chaos is portrayed by an actor with a strong stage presence, clear diction and an ability to keep the audience’s attention with dialogue and agile use of props.

During the beautifully played overture we meet the members of the cast, with ladies in bustled dresses, a gentleman scarecrow, a blind tipsy judge and gorgeously dressed children, with ribbons and boaters, as they dance around the May pole. Each member of the chorus, individually characterised by the director and again, individually mentioned in the show programme, engaged us with superb harmonies in ‘Ring Forth Ye Bells’ and this quality of performance is heard throughout the production. Constance, with a lovely sweet clear soprano voice is sympathetically portrayed, bereft as her love is not reciprocated. Her sister, Mrs Partlet, a widow but still, as we later see, rather partial to male attention from Sir Marmaduke, is comical portrayed.  Dr Daly, the man who excites Constance’s interest, has the disposition of a man inherently unworthy of love and perfectly depicted by this actor who sand it well.

As the story continues, we are introduced to Sir Marmaduke Pointdextre who has a baritone voice of good tonal quality, with the poise the character requires and pomposity too. He pursues an old love, Lady Sangazure, portrayed by a natural comedic actor with a rounded and warm mezzo soprano voice. Her vocal ability to sing ‘Oh I Have Wrought Such Evil With My Spells’, a duet with The Sorcerer, was exceptional as patter songs are difficult but this was sung with ease. A lovely performance.

The betrothed couple Alexis and Aline were just perfectly portrayed by these two exceptional actors. Alexis was superbly funny with his ‘fop-like’ persona and an excellent lyrical tenor voice, this actor gave a very professional performance and had the audience in stitches.  Aline, a natural actor with a stunning soprano voice of clarity and timbre, worked perfectly with the comical Alexis and I was impressed with every note they sang, as were the rest of the audience.

The Notary was expertly depicted as were a number of cameo roles especially the old deaf judge who is confused by female attention. There was not a weak link at all throughout the cast which produced a very watchable production.

Huge congratulations to the wardrobe department as the costumes were outstanding indeed. Sir Marmaduke’s’ morning suit and waistcoat, Lady Sangazure’s gowns and two pieces, Aline’s beautiful dresses, Alexis’ brown three-piece suit, boater and red spotted tie and Dr Daly’s outfit and hat are just some I remember but the whole company were dressed right for the period.

The lighting was effective throughout with pinks and blues and purples used for The Sorcerer’s scenes and yellows and oranges of the garden party scenes. The sound and balance of the orchestra, carefully managed by Mark Perry, allowed the audience to hear every word from the actors on stage and expertly played by this group of musicians. I congratulate him and Nicky Perry for the quality of the singing from everyone on stage.

This was a production meticulously directed by Nick Lawrence and Iryna Ilnytska with a clever opening overture scene, great use of the stage, individual depiction by ensemble characters and principal performances of quality with attention to detail such as Alexis’ use of his handkerchief.

Adding a junior chorus to the company worked well and I witnessed a lovely performance from the Sangazure Team.

I was delighted to attend such a clever production of The Sorcerer with a talented cast of actors and exceptional performances from the principal characters. Never before have I enjoyed such an entertaining and high- quality G & S performance. Many congratulations to the company, cast and production team.

 

Lyn Burgoyne

Noda Representative ( Mid and East Devon).

 

 

 

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