 | Christchurch Gilbert and Sullivan Society | |
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| Christchurch Gilbert and Sullivan Society made a splendid stage debut with Iolanthe at the Regent Centre last night - but again local support was pitiful. Regent-bashers had no excuses this time. Iolanthe was the kind of popular offering they had begged for to fill the cavernous theatre. It was marvellous fun-for-all-family entertainment. Highcliffe soprano Suzanne McCall showed great authority as the love-struck Phyllis, and David Gower looking like something out of the Ministry of Funny Walks as the Lord Chancellor, eased his tongue around Gilbert's tricky lyrics. There was fine support from John Woodward as Earl Tolloller, Peter Vokes as hilarious Private Willis and Margaret Goddard as a wonderfully young-looking Iolanthe. Much of the humour centres around the | satirical jibes at British politics. Gilbert and Sullivan's none-too-subtle digs at the Parliament of their day seemed just as relevant in 1984. When the fairies taunt the Peers with: "You shall sit ... through the grouse and salmon season", one cannot help remember that our two Houses are still enjoying their summer recess well into the football season. Some might agree that turning all the Lords into fairies sounds like a good idea, though it might raise a few eyebrows today. And others might agree with the Lord Chancellor's sentiment that women should not meddle in politics ... Director 21-year-old Nigel Finch should be proud of what he has achieved for Christchurch. He and the society deserve to pack 'em in for the remainder of the run which finishes on Saturday. | |||