Aug 15th 05

Mon 15th	10.30am	In Conversation with Andrea Atherton (director, St. Mary's)	Paxton Theatre
	2.30pm	David Turner (festival adjudicator) - The role of an adjudicator	Paxton Theatre
	7.30pm	Princess Ida, Trent Opera	Opera House
	10.30pm	Late Night Festival Club and Entertainment	Pavilion Lounge

This was the production we had been waiting for since the final programme was first released - the return of our favourite soprano - Deborah Norman in the title role of Princess Ida. Added to this we would also have Nick Sales along side her as Hilarion - what a combination!

The overture was played at a very slow pace this evening which set the trend for the whole opera. When the tabs were lifted a very different set was exposed. Instead of the usual opulence of Hildebrand's castle we had a two layer stark white set consisting of a hexagonal raised section in centre stage with a platform leading to a raised section along the back of the stage. There were two slightly raised podiums - one at each side - similar in shape to a chaise-long. There were blue leaf like motifs painted on each section. By the costumes the setting seemed to be some where in the region of Turkey to North Africa.

The courtiers were all looking out in anticipation of the arrival of King Gamma, Princess Ida and their party. They are dressed in very high quality looking costumes but they are all pastel shades - I did miss the dramatic colour which we usually have. However, this was compensated for by the costume of King Hildebrand which was magnificent!

Melissa, Florian, King Hildebrand and Guron : Katrina McWilliams, Simon Theobald, Mike Tippler and Jonathan Godfrey.

How well all the courtiers reacted as they looked about, and how well they sang. Florian sang and excellent solo. Hildebrand explained that Gamma should be bringing his daughter to Hilarion whom she had married during infancy. As Florian looks out he has great fun describing Gamma and his sons - and possibly Ida as she is a "strange girl". The courtiers prepare for Gamma's entrance as Hildebrand sings "Now hearken to my strict command" He has a gorgeous voice with excellent diction. The whole production is helped by the fact that most of the solo work takes place on this raised central podium from which the voice projection is excellent. It also gives greater scope for the placing of the actors into realist groups.

As the song finishes we have a sudden blackout - for quite a few seconds - this tended to break the atmosphere. As the lights came up again curtains had been drawn in onto each side of the central podium and a red light was shone onto them - this was designed to represent Hilarion's room. He sang a wonderful Recitative and ballad, "Ida was a twelve month old". A superb actor with a magnificent tenor voice which soared out. I felt the claustrophobic nature of the set spoilt the overall effect.

Hildebrand joined him and they had good fun as they discussed the last time they had seen Ida. The lights went out again and then the whole stage was in use again as the courtiers re-entered to welcome Gamma and his party. The three sons of Gamma entered first - they were dressed on Mogul like costumes with large sheepskin waistcoats. They were very tough looking characters but a little simple! A good rendition of "We are warriors three".

Gamma entered - he was wonderfully twisted with a nature to match. He sang an excellent "If you give me your attention", and in doing so put the backs up all present on stage. This was exacerbated as he went into the dialogue, hurling insults at everyone.

Gamma sang a good rendition of "Perhaps if you address the lady" but despite that he and his sons were taken under arrest. Hilarion, Florian and Cyril decided that rather than storm Castle Adamant they would try to win the Princess round with love! The sang a wonderful trio "Expressive glances" Three magnificent voices blended in perfect harmony.

Guron , Arac and Scynthius - Jonathan Godfrey, Stephen Godward and Nathan Smith.

The three brothers returned - bound together with rope - they sang "For a month to dwell" and the first act came to a close as the chorus sang "For the rum-tum-tum".

Act two opened with a very similar set - slight movement of the back of the rear raised section to form more castle battlements and the two platforms had been rotated. How I missed the Castle scene! The ladies are all at their studies as they sing the opening number "Towards the empyrean heights". They were again dressed in pastle shades of brown and grey and it was almost impossible to pick out the tutors from the students. Again the costumes seemed well made but they were a little drab. Good fun was had as various questions were put to an excellent Lady Psyche. Lady Blanche entered - another magnificent actor - how she held our attention and what a wonderful voice with clear diction. She had great fun dishing out the punishments and was most disappointed when they ran out.

The Princess Ida entered from the back of the stage on the raised section. That first "Minerva" sent a tingle up my spine - what a voice and what confidence and projection. A wonderful aria "Oh, goddess wise" lead into the best 'lecture' - Women of Adamant I have ever heard - superb understanding of the words by this actress made them understandable to us! Lady Blanche went off into one of her rambles as she sang "Come, mighty Must" All leave the stage and then we see Cyril and Florian climbing over the rear castle wall. Florian has cut his hand and both are exhausted and covered with leaves and other vegetation. Hilarion enters as cool as a cucumber from stage right - with a crow-bar - he has just broken in instead of climbing over the walls - quite a smirk on his face. They sing a fun filled "Gently, Gently".

Hilarion finds a note book and they then mock what the ladies are trying to do with "They intend to send a wire to the moon". They then find the spare robes and dress up in them - with much mischief. They prance around as they sing "I am a maiden". The princess enters and they bluff it out, pretending to be girls applying to the college. Cyril almost lets it slip that they are men. They all sing a wonderful quartet "The world is but a broken toy". The princess Ida leaves and they prance about again but are spotted by Lady Psyche - who is Florian's sister. They tell her who they are and then have great fun as Psyche sings "A lady Fir" whilst Cyril mimes with a soft toy ape. Melissa spots what is going on and joins in - flirting with Florian. This leads to a beautiful quintet 'The woman of the wisest wit"

All exit except Melissa who is called back by her mother, Lady Blanche. The latter has heard the singing and is not convinced that they are ladies - especially as two are tenors and one a baritone! Melissa admits that they are men but suggests that if Hilarion takes Ida away as his wife then she, Blanche, will be in charge of the university. They resolve to keep the secret as they sing a wonderful rendition of one of my favourite G&S numbers "Sing, Hoity, Toity".

It is time for lunch and all gather bringing in lots of food - except that Blanche is on a diet - how well she gets attention with her stick of celery! Cyril gets drunk and shocks everyone with his "Kissing" song. Ida realises that they are men when Cyril calls Hilarion by name. She rushes off but falls into the stream - Hilarion rushes off to rescue her, great fun is had as Blanche's reactions change as Ida's situation varies between being saved and drowning.

They return to the stage all wet but Ida is still fuming and places them under arrest, despite Hilarion's pleading in "Whom thou hast chained". Suddenly Melissa spots Hildebrand's troops - they enter the castle along with Gamma's three sons. Excellent singing as we have "Some years ago" from Hildebrand, followed by Ida stating that Hildebrand would not dare to kill the sons and the sons protesting that he would. Ida will not give in and the second act comes to an end with a stirring "Though I am but a girl"

Act three opens with the girls divided into two sections - those on the podium are having stirring music lessons whilst below others are practicing using their axes on cushions held by others - in a most violent manner! Melissa sings the lead in an excellent stirring and then pathetic "Death to the invader"

Hilarion, Melissa and Florian - Nick Sales, Katrina McWilliams and Simon Theobald

Ida comes on to review her troops but is disappointed by them all - she takes on all the roles and dismisses the girls. She is disappointed with them all and sings a woderful "I built upon a rock" in which she bemoans how she has been let down.

Gamma returns, he has been let out to tell Ida that Hildebrand does not want to fight women and that he will allow her three brothers to fight for her instead. Gama explains how he has been tortured whilst with Hildebrand by everyone being kind to him and him not having anything to grumble at! "When'er I spoke" The soldiers enter, along with the three brothers - the latter now dressed in a sort of armour. They all sing an excellent chorus "When anger spreads his wings" Arac then prepares for battle by taking off his armour, which he thinks only gets in the was - he sings "This helmet I suppose" Hilarion, Florian and Cyril are brought on and Gamma continues to insult them. The fight takes place - a very active one and eventually the brothers are beaten - Ida gives in and resigns her leadership of the university - much to Blanche's excitement. She agrees to go with Hilarion and the show closes with a wonderful rendition of "With joy abiding"

A very good production. The singing at all times was excellent - all principals were strong and clear. The attention to detail was tremendous and the concentration of the actors was to be commended. I am still in two minds as to the inclusion of professionals - as an audience we want the best production possible but is it fair to have two professionals in leading roles when the "competition" is for amateur groups? The consummate skill of the professionals will raise the whole performance - is this fair? It is an argument which will go on and on. As far as I am concerned -let's have the professionals and forget about the competition! Let's just have three weeks of the very best G&S available in the world here at Buxton for us to enjoy!