"Ruddigore"

Definitely NOT a Ruddy Bore

By Mike Levy for Local Secrets

"Ruddy Bore" is what the 19th critics of this Gilbert and Sullivan said of this comic operetta ­ they were wrong. The Cambridge Operatic Society has dusted off this little-performed piece and given it a very vigorous and highly polished outing at the Corn Exchange, which won over the hearts of the smallish audience lucky enough to, be there.

Ruddigore is a slightly archaic satire on the absurd Victorian melodramas of the day with their tales of dastardly baronets, young ladies carried off to meet fates worse than death and ghostly ancestors stepping out from spooky baronial picture galleries. Ruddigore has all that and more: some lovely tunes by Arthur Sullivan (including a gorgeous madrigal and a cheeky hornpipe). Add to this some of Gilbert¹s cleverest lyrics (including the pair's fastest tongue-twisty patter song) and you wonder why this show isn¹t better known.

The problem, I think, is that the parody is so strong that the characters are very hard to believe in, or sympathise with. An air of comic villainy pervades the work and here the company were in the best form. Top marks go to a superb portrayal of the meek and bashful hero turned accursed evil villain, Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd. David Gower was astonishingly good ­ wonderful agility with the songs, marvellous crab-like silly walks and a fine baritone to boot. He topped what for my money is the company¹s best ensemble for years. Lucas Elkin stands out as the big-voiced erstwhile baddie turned pillar of respectability; Catriona Nicol as the heroine ­ is a slave to her Victorian book of etiquette and Alan Hay as the booming ghostly ancestor, commanded the stage with power and dramatic presence. These were fully supported by an excellent chorus of village folk, toffs and a very Gibertian troupe of underemployed professional bridesmaids hit by a 19th century marriage crunch.

Production values in this show were first rate with some wonderful lighting and a top-notch band. Diction was crystal clear and everyone seemed to have a very good time, including the audience.

Though a trifle too long (come on brave directors, use that blue pencil ­ the ghosts of Gilbert & Sullivan won't come and get you), Ruddigore deserves a thoroughly professional revival ­ with this fine amateur production, it got one.