No 42 -- Summer 1994 Edited by Michael Walters
After seeing the DOC IOLANTHE last week, and finding little pleasure, how pleasant it was to return to "real" G&S, staged and performed properly with no anachronisms or "clever" sets. Act 1 was an Arcadian Landscape, and Act 2's Palace Yard set gave an impression of spaciousness on the small stage. Producer David Blackwood, given the smallness of the stage and the largeness of the company, did well to keep chorus movements simple but effective, firstly for the keep-fit, knees-up fairies tripping hither and thither to the sound of the whistle, and secondly for the Peers' Chorus, many of whom, on entry, regarded the audience disdainfully. There were a few nice little touches to the production. While the fairies stood unseen by Strephon at the rear of the stage, a sign was lowered with "Invisible" on it. Another innovation came when Strephon and Phyllis were celebrating their engagement. Strephon produced a fairy wand and made a table with a bottle of champagne appear. He popped the cork and it nearly disappeared through the roof! A fireman appeared in the audience for "Captain Shaw".
Lord Chancellor (George Waite) endeared himself to the audience, particularly with his antics in "If you go in". His diction was excellent. Brothers Colin & Richard Thomas (Mountararat & Tolloller) had a commanding presence. Both are tall with strong voices; I was particularly impressed by Richard's vibrant tenor. I also enjoyed Susan Russell's Phyllis. She had a mind of her own, as had Joyce Somerville (Queen). Thomas Russell (Strephon) was given little to do, but could have done with a wig, as his own hair was sparse. Sheena Morris (Iolanthe) gave a gracious and flowing performance; Barrie Crawford (Willis) sounded just right. His young son, David, made a brief appearance as the Lord Chancellor's attendant, and charmed the audience by his little skip in time to the LC. Celia, Leila & Fleta (Carol Whitelaw, Joan McBride and Helen Cuthbertson) contrasted nicely. The costumes from Barretts of Bath, were excellent. MD was Jean Thomson.
LINDA WOOD
[The importance of this review cannot be overstressed. Linda considered it a "traditional" production, yet it clearly was fresh and inventive, and not the sort of "traditional" production which makes avant garde producers fulminate. Ed.]
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