 | Christchurch Gilbert and Sullivan Society | |
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| If you like a jolly good laugh the Princess Ida, W.S. Gilbert's swipe at women's educational lib, is the one to see. Christchurch G&S Society has achieved a smoothly produced traditional performance, with all the principal characters well cast. The humour of the costumes and choreography augment the wonderful wit of Gilbert's writing and Sullivan's music. Penelope Paige Clarke, in the starring role of prim Princess Ida, displayed her fine, powerful voice to tremendous effect, notably in 'I Built A Rock'. | King Hildebrand (Leonard Godfrey) and his son Hilarion (Stephen Adams) both disport aptly majestical qualities while, in Act 2, Hilarion and his friends Cyril (John Love) and Florian (Zachary Higgins) provide some hilarious routines, not least in Cyril's inebriated and precarious table-top trip. Perhaps a little more clarity in some solo songs, aided by greater unanimity in the upper strings would have enhanced the professionalism of this enthusiastic group, but nonetheless, a super evening's entertainment. | |||
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| Christchurch Gilbert and Sullivan Society's performance of Princess Ida at the Regent Centre last week provoked no anti-feminist outcries from its captive audience as they listened to the women undergraduates of the Princess's remote and isolated university - a veritable bastion of militant feminism - in Castle Adamant sing: "Man's a donkey, man's a goose, Man is nature's sole mistake." Into this centre of academic excellence, from which students are expelled for introducing chess men, penetrates the effeminate Prince Hilarion (Stephen Adams) disguised in the distinguished red robes of the establishment and accompanied by two lusting companions, Cyril (John Love) and Florian (Zachary Higgins). They have come to claim the haughty and determined Ida (penelope Paige Clarke) to whom Hilarion has been betrothed since infancy and to "enlarge their minds". The three 'maiden' imposters inevitably find themselves the victims of some mutual attraction, engaging in witty exchanges and flirtation with Florian's long lost sister, "the learned little Psyche" (Christine Eastwood) and Melissa (Mary Goddard) to whom they entrust the secret of their sex. Once Princess Ida, who "knows no mercy for men in women's clothes" detects their 'masculinity' they can only hope to be saved by the arrival of Hilarion's father - King Hildebrand (Leonard Godfrey) at the head of an army. | The courageous princess whose army of women do not show her strength of will and are fast rebelling, is aided by her audacious and tyrannical father, King Gama (Alan Ponting) and three barbarian bearded brothers - Arac (Brian Morgan), Guron (Brian Davies) and Scynthius (Martin Barradell). Their buffoonery and transparent lack of bravery is quite brilliant as they reject their hindering heavy armour in favour of fighting in tights. The ending is all too evident - the riddle of providing posterity must be solved, man must be given a chance - but we are not here to criticise Mr Gilbert. In the title role of Princess Ida for the first time, Penelope Paige Clarke's wealth of experience and talent shone through as her powerful voice made the chorus of the inept men's army seem weak by comparison. Playing the menacing philanthropist Gama, Alan Ponting, who lives in Walkford and has so often been cast in the role of the disagreeable or villainous man, sang with a pronounced clarity that was captivating. In the role of Gama's rival king, Leonard Godfrey, who has retired in New Milton and has sung with the society for nine years, played King Hildebrand with dignity and grace. The three act operetta was produced and co-directed by the founder of the society, Nigel Finch, who also conducted the orchestra. This production in which so many experienced performers and Gilbert and Sullivan enthusiasts were involved left one with an impression of distinct professionalism. | |||