The opening day of the 14th International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival.
We had driven over to Buxton the previous day and were now well established on Clover Fields Caravan Site.
After lunch we went down into town - it had been planned that all the G&S operettas would be performed simultaneously around the Pavilion Gardens - we arrived in great anticipation, but the uptake had been disappointing and there were in fact only four being performed. These were;-
The Mikado, in front of the Opera House.
The Gondoliers, in front of the Paxton.
Utopia Limited, in front of the Octagon
Pirates of Penzance over by the little cafe in the Pavilion Gardens.
These were all sung with great enthusiasm but I have to mention the Utopia production in which the cast, despite a biting wind, were dressed in their south-sea costumes - a very hardy lot! Good crowds gathered as the operettas progressed and the efforts of the singers was much appreciated by those present - perhaps next year we will approach something like the full number of productions (Ian has mentioned that he intends to try it again)
We then moved into the Octagon for the "Big Sing" I was disappointed with this - to my mind the occasion has deteriorated each year - it has now just become another "pot luck". How well I remember the first one when John Reed entered as Sir Joseph Porter. I realise that many of the D'Oyly Carte no longer wish to sing but we could have had some of the current professionals up on stage - thank goodness for the likes of Sam, Jonathon and Elise who volunteered. Christine Nicklin was excellent as she kept the proceedings moving along and there were some good audience participation items, the best being the entrance of the peers when almost all the males in the audience took up their place on stage to sing. The "Big Sing" opened and closed with magnificent renditions of the "Festival Hymn" Hail Poetry.
Ian opens the Festival.
Oxford gave us "Eagle High"
A volunteer Pitti-Sing with Christine Nicklin
Christine leads the men from the audience as they sing the entrance of the Peers from Iolanthe
Sam, Elise and Jonathon sing the trio "Never mind the Why and Wherefore" from HMS Pinafore.
Neil polishes up his knockers on the big front door.
Click onto "Next Page" button below for the Carl Rosa Yeomen of the Guard
