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"The Gondoliers"
Gilbert and Sullivan's Gondoliers is hard enough to pull off without contending with a major blackout. The first night was cancelled due to a power failure but by the second, the Cambridge Opera Society was lit up ready to take us on that wacky gondola ride to the land of Gilbertian nonsense.
One reason why this late Gilbert and Sullivan piece is so hard to do, is the immense amount of difficult singing both chorus and soloists have to do; the other is the thinness of the plot. To succeed, the show needs really confident singing, strong character acting and bags of energy.
So how did they do? The first half of the show suffered a bit from first (or was it second) night nerves - the many pairs of eyes just didn't sparkle. But by the second half, the cast had really picked up the Gilbertian gauntlet and took off into a land of fun (which is where this show needs to reside). There were many individual performances to enjoy: David Gower as Giuseppe has bags of stage presence and excellent comic timing, I liked Nina Jellicoe as the big-voiced harridan duchess and Julie Bonner as a bright-eyed Gianetta.
You cannot underestimate the vocal challenges of Gilbert and Sullivan (sounds easy but it is written for professional opera singers) and the quartet of two gondoliers and their wives (or are they?) did excellent work in the fiendishly complex quartet 'In a contemplative manner' which can stand up against any clever Sondheim number. There were some great choral set pieces - a grand finale and a really spot on opening number of lazy courtiers in the beginning of Act 2.
Gilbert and Sullivan often needs a helpful lift in terms of updating but barring a few references to the blackout of the night before, there were few risks taken. That's a shame when the Duke's witty song on using his position to offer favours for cash could have been updated to encompass the present loot for honours scandals. But it is rare to find amateur Gilbert and Sullivan taking any directorial risks. And this production was no exception. But that caveat aside, this show will build into a really colourful and entertaining piece. Go along, give them your support and keep your fingers crossed that the lights keep on.
Letter to Cambridge Evening News
Delightful opera
From M E Rayner
AS A long-time Gilbert & Sullivan fan, and of
Cambridge Operatic Society, I wish to comment on the less than
complimentary review* of The Gondoliers (Scene, November 29).
I feel it was somewhat unfair - I've been watching the performances
since the 1940s, as a child, and I found this production most
enjoyable, as well as up to standard - the superb singing of chorus and
leads, the costumes, the ability to have more space - and the moving
gondolas! - since the stage was enlarged all enhanced the effect, and
the clever "patter" songs, very difficult to do, were performed
brilliantly by all (but especially by the "Duke"), as was the five-way
harmony, the "silent" characters, the amusing dances, and the duet by
the two "kings", which drew especial applause.
The glorious celebration scenes at the end, enhanced by the dimming of
the lights, were brilliant, expressing the joyfulness, and the
audience, as always, joined in.
It was a delightful evening, and I wish to thank them all, including the tireless orchestra and conductor!
* This review has not been made available onine by CEN