GROSVENOR LIGHT OPERA COMPANY THE GRAND DUKE 7 6 2006 THE ORATORY THEATRE JOHN HUCKLE

SUMMARY The Company has again taken another, this time probably the least popular G&S piece and given it a bit of TLC. The result was a good piece of entertainment from a typically convoluted Gilbert plot and familiar music. The company worked hard and the production team were successful in giving the Grand Duke a fresh and engaging showing.

REPORT The Grand Duke was the last operetta that Gilbert produced in collaboration with Sullivan and is considered by many to have been one of their least successful. It was first performed in 1896 and closed after 123 performances which was the shortest run of any of the G&S operettas.

The story is set in Speisesaal the capital of the Grand Duchy of Pfennig Halbpfennig in 1750. The Duchy is ruled by the unpopular Duke Rudolph who becomes the subject of conspiracy to depose him by a theatrical company! The plot is a typical Gilbert convolution, hilarious in parts and incomprehensible in others. The story revolves around; the concept of a statutory duel, several thwarted marriages, a sausage roll theme and of course a neatly resolved ending.

Gilbert‘s characters are as always interesting. The Duke is parsimonious to a fault, Baroness von Krakenfeld is a toughie, Julia is a fiery theatrical and Ludwig is cheerfully engaging.

Sullivan’s score is however almost a complete recycle from previous shows and includes the requisite ballads, a madrigal, solos for the tenor and soprano, a duet, a trio, a patter song and of course plenty for the chorus to sing.

From this perhaps unlikely background Huw Morgan as Director, Helen Price as MD and Sally Woodfield as choreographer produced a very entertaining show that had pace and humour.

The members of the Dummkopf Productions troupe were found on stage as the audience entered and we were off into the Alice in Wonderland of the story as the troupe plot to overthrow the Duke. Darren Clark was very watchable as Ernest the theatrical manager and delivered the tenor part with gusto. Patrick Pond produced a fine cunning Ludwig the troupes leading man who becomes saddled with a bevy of fiancées. Patrick looked the part and had a good singing voice. Ailie-Jane Reid was excellent as Julia mimiking the often seen stances of a Prima Donna. Julia Hessey was lovely as Lisa and she dealt well with the songs she had some of which are not that inspiring. The establishment of the Duchy was well represented by the various member of the cast. Geoffrey Farrar was a very commanding Duke I particularly liked his costume and make up. Sarah Olney easily conveyed the part of Baroness von Krakenfeld which sadly does not have the songs that she deserves. The smaller parts: the Prince and Princess of Monte Carlo and the notary Dr Tannhauser were all performed to a high standard by Chris Crowcroft, Amy Holmes and Ben Olney respectively.

I particularly liked the playing card song and the accompanying dance. The act one finale was lively and robust even though there are one or two uninspiring songs within ambit of the section.

The first act was played with out scenery which did not detract from the performance which was in general pacey and sharp. I felt that the second act, where a backdrop depicting the inside of the Dukes palace was used, did not quite match the energy of the first act.

I loved the costumes; the props, the lighting and the sound all of which gave great support to the show. The Oratory is an excellent theatre and the company made good use of the acting space but there were one or two occasions when the acoustics were less than helpful. It seemed to me as if the voices of the principals were being absorbed by the stage.

Again I thought that you had produced a programme that was clever and in keeping with the theme of the evening. The hand bill was delightful.

I am a great fan of G&S and the efforts that your company have made to keep their work fresh. I was sorry to see that you had been unable to attract a bigger audience which frankly the show deserved.

We had an excellent evening’s entertainment, congratulations again to the production team and the company.