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Presented by Charles Court Opera

Iolanthe

by Gilbert and Sullivan

Directed by John Savourin

Musical director David Eaton

Rosemary Branch Theatre

2 - 6 April, 2008

uzens

A review by Marion Drew for EXTRA! EXTRA!

Iolanthe is a fairy who committed the crime of marrying a mortal. After being pardoned from her twenty-five year banishment by the Fairy Queen, Iolanthe reveals that she has a son, Strephon, who is half fairy and half mortal. Strephon is in love with Phyllis, a ward of the Lord Chancellor, who is unaware of his fairy status. But most of the members of the House of Lords are also in love with Phyllis. Strephon is seen embracing his mother, who, being an immortal fairy appears to be a young girl. Phyllis and the Peers refuse to believe that she is in fact Strephon's mother. What is to be done? How does Strephon win over his love? What will happen to Iolanthe? How do the fickle fairies, who eventually fall in love with the peers avoid a dreadful punishment? You will have to come and see this delightful production by The Players of Charles Court Opera to find out!
In this famous Gilbert and Sullivan comic operetta we are taken tripping through a double-edged tale of light-hearted humour and biting, almost savage satire in the company of a trio of funky psychedelic dreadlocked faeries. Played engagingly by Rebecca Seale, Lydia Jenkins and Charlotte Wooll-Rivers, these silly sprites delighted the very appreciative audience with their coquettish antics. Equally engaging were the quintet of the Lord, two Earls, and other peers making idiots of themselves in their world of delusional importance and pomposity. Sebastian Valentine played a superb caricature as the Earl of Mountararat, and together with David Menezes as Earl Tolloller and the fabulously energetic Giles Davies as the Lord Chancellor they had us roaring with laughter at their dim-witted and ineffectual escapades. Ranked as one of their finest works, Gilbert and Sullivan’s target in this operetta was the English upper classes, the political system and the judiciary. Director John Savourin did well to leave the work alone and not try to contemporise it. The witty score and dialogue withstand the test of time magnificently just as they are, and today’s audiences are more than able to appreciate the double-entendre in which it is drenched.
The singing was lovely throughout, the voices of Georgia Ginsburg as Phyllis and baritone Martin Lamb as Private Willis particularly standing out for me. The Eaton-Young piano duo who provided the music were a perfect choice for this group of voices and this particular venue, and they added a further whimsical touch to the feel of the work. Their transcription of this operatic score worked extremely well within the whole, and their position on stage in the set added to this effect.
The simple set (James Perkins), a series of gossamer screens through which the characters flitted, strutted, hid and revealed themselves was indeed fit for fairyland. Majestically through it all, the fairy queen, sung by Jill Pert, rode the fine line between regal dignity and comic timing with consummate grace.
The whole was a magical evening of humour and delight, and I heartily agree with one member of the audience who, upon leaving, was heard to remark,”What a pity that the run ends on Sunday!” Indeed, get there while you can!

2nd to 6th April
Tuesday to Saturday 7.30pm
Sunday 2pm and 6pm

TICKETS: £15, £12 conc.

Theatre and 24 hour Box Office: 0207 704 6665
www.rosemarybranch.co.uk

Rosemary Branch Theatre
2 Shepperton Road,
London N1 3DT

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