17th August 2002
7:30pm Iolanthe - G&S Opera Company - Opera House
In the Opera House there has always been a plaque to Sullivan.
The Festival has now added added plaque to Gilbert which was produced in 2001 but this was the first time we had seen it in position
Today
it was "Association Day" and the AGM was held in the Opera House.
Ian talked about how successful Buxton had been and how they had been
disappointed with the response in Eastbourne - two factors - the fact that there
were four major theatres all competing for the clients and the venue was smaller
and did not accommodate the productions - especially the orchestra - as well a
Buxton - there were also problems with the theatre computers which meant that
they had to have all the tickets written out by hand.
However, the response had been similar to the first festival in Buxton
and look how that has grown. It was
mentioned from the floor that there was very little advertising in the
Eastbourne area.
The
educational initiative had not yet take off but Ian was very keen to get
something going this year. It was mentioned that funding may be available from
the Lottery to pay a full time professional educator to run this initiative -
Ian would look into this.
The
plans for next year seem to be that we will have the same three weeks for the
festival but it was almost certain that it would all be in Buxton - Ian already
had applications from more than enough companies for next year - two companies
from the USA had also shown an interest - but no commitment as yet.
Ian stated that he was still losing money with the festivals - although he was over the moon with the attendance at Buxton - especially the G&S Opera company productions. It was asked from the floor if the professional company could put on some of the lesser known operettas next year but Ian, although he would love to see it, doubted that would happen on commercial grounds.
Members leave after the meeting
G&S
Opera Company
Iolanthe
We
went down early to the Opera House - it was the Association Champagne reception
- just an excuse to have a couple of glasses of the bubbly stuff and a few
nibbles before we go into the theatre. No
"famous" people were present this year - which was a disappointment.
We had a chat with our friends and then it was time to go into the
theatre for the "singing from the gallery"
Brian
Brown conducts the singing from the gallery
One
large party (Blackburn G&S Society?) had mistakenly booked the matinee performance
and had missed out on the singing from the gallery - Ian invited them to come in
for this evenings sing which they did:-
The
production opened with a gauze giving the title of the production displayed on
it - this changed during the overture to give the alternative titles, the
librettist, composer and finally Act One. The
lights came on behind the gauze to show a modern interpretation of the fairy
glade. It consisted of a raised
walkway along the rear of the stage with a branch coming off from the centre
towards the right front of the stage - here there was an eight foot square platform
- the gap between the platform and the rear walkway was the stream/pond where
Iolanthe was serving her punishment. The
back cloth was a dramatic black and there was a large disc towards the left of
centre rear - suspended about 12 feet up - this became the sun or
moon by the use of lighting (also a clock - see later!)
The
elf came on and woke the fairies as the gauze was lifted - the scene was lit in
red - the costumes of the fairies was not what is used to seeing - in fact they
had on almost academic wear - as was enhanced by the wearing of mortar boards by
Celia and Leila. It was obvious
that the fairies were under instruction - and most effective it was too.
How well they sang and moved about and what a delight to see youngsters
involved at this level.
After
much fun the Fairy Queen (Jill Pert) arrived and what a dominating figure she
was - she had total authority over the group - more in the style of a
headmistress. She is a wonderful actress with a magnificent voice.
The invocation was well performed as Iolanthe is summoned - again another
wonderful actress - she was totally into the part all the time with excellent
facial expressions. Once they had
all re-united it was time for Strephon (Stephen Davies) to enter. He was full of
energy and enthusiasm - with a super deep sonorous voice and excellent diction. He was dressed in two tone shoes, fawn trousers and had a
"tank-top" pullover on - this was our first indication as to the time
scale - 1920-1930's - He had good fun with the fairies bemoaning the fact that
he was only half a fairy.
Phyllis
then came on once the fairies had left. She
had a lovely voice and a bright, bubbly personality.
They sang really well together during the duet "None shall part
us".
The
entrance of the Peers was - unexpected - we first heard the engine of an
"old" car and then they came on in dribs and drabs dressed in sports
jackets and plus fours - all the tenors were carrying fishing rods and all the
basses had shot guns - they were wonderfully over the top with their actions - a
real set of chin-less wonders. As
they sang their song their servants arrived and took away their rods and guns -
they then dressed them in their robes and coronets - the peers then paraded
around with all the pomp which we usually expect - a delightful way to introduce
some new ideas but also to keep parts which we all love - peers without robes
and coronets leave a big hole in any production of Iolanthe - we had them!
Magnificent singing from all involved and some excellent movement about
the stage.
The
Lord Chancellor arrived - complete with shooting jacket and plus-fours - with a
period crash helmet and goggles. As
with the peers - he had his servants remove the helmet and goggles and put on
his robe and wig. As usual - with
Richard Suart - he was wonderfully over the top in his characterisation of the
part - full of energy and action with a very clear voice and excellent diction.
He had great fun and mischief as he sang "The law is the true
embodiment".
Phyllis
returns to the scene and is greeted with rapture by all present - good
interaction between Tolloller and Mountararat - how well their voices go
together. Tolloller's "Blue Blood" is excellent.
However, Phyllis wants nothing to do with them and tells them that hear
heart is already given - The Lord Chancellor collapses at this point! - The
peers - disgusted at the news go off to a delightfully pompous "Dignified
and Stately".
The
Lord Chancellor takes Strephon to one side and tells him that it may not be - he
sings a great "When I went to the bar" - Strephon - bored with this
keeps trying to sneak off.
Strephon
is just confiding to his mother, Iolanthe, when they are spotted by a peer who
is out bird-watching - he calls the others who, due to the set, have lots of
places to hide as they overhear the conversation - "When darkly looms the
day". Phyllis confronts the
pair and Strephon informs them that she is his mother, which of course they
scoff at as she is a "maid of seventeen"
They explain to the Lord Chancellor what is going on and he supports
their claim - Phyllis is so upset that she agrees to marry one of the peers - a
lovely "For Riches and Rank" from Phyllis.
Strephon calls for help and the fairies arrive - what a colourful scene
we have with them all on stage - and how well they have been choreographed -
such well disciplined movements and dancing.
The
Lord Chancellor mistakes the Queen for the Proprietor of a Ladies' Seminary - an
easy mistake to make when you bear in mind how they are dressed.
She tells them that Strephon will go into parliament. Act one closes with
lots of colour, movement and magnificent singing.
Act
Two
The scene has changed to the palace yard at Westminster - the set is basically the same except the platform has been moved to towards the rear of the stage and is in direct contact with the rear walkway - a set of steps comes down from the front. As the introduction plays a gauze screen - the shape of the tower of Big Ben comes down over the sun/moon and on it is a clock face which exactly fits over the moon - a wonderful touch which was applauded by the audience. Private Willis (Michael Raynor) is on the platform and he gives us the most active "When all night long..." I have ever seen - no standing at attention for him!
The fairies return celebrating the fact that "Strephon's a Member of Parliament" - lots of vitality and mischief displayed here as the peers enter and a great deal of flirting goes on. Good dialogue between the principals at this point followed by a wonderful "When Britain really ruled the waves" from Mountararat. Good fun as the peers try to go but are held back by the "magic" of the faries. A wonderful "Oh, foolish fay" from the effervescent Fairy Queen. The interaction and understanding of the libretto during the dialogue between Tolloller, Mountararat and Phyllis was a joy to behold.
The lights went out and in the darkness we had a bed brought on, at a steep angle, from which the Lord Chancellor sang his nightmare song - in nightshirt and cap. Good fun followed with "If you go in" - excellent.
Strephon admits to Phyllis that he is a fairy and the sing a beautiful duet "If we're weak enough to tarry" Iolanthe is asked to plea for them and she sings a most moving "He loves..." The fairy queen returns to catch Iolanthe admitting that she is the Chancellors wife and condemns her to death - again but all is saved resulting in a magnificent finale which was full of colour, action and glorious sound.
A wonderful production with magnificent costumes and a superb cast.
Our friends Jerry and Liz enjoyed the performance so much last night (Friday) that they bought tickets to watch it again tonight.
Although by the time they went to get them there were only seats up in the Upper Dress Circle - so here we see Liz having an ice-cream during the interval to cool down.
