 | Christchurch Gilbert and Sullivan Society | |
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| Despite having been written well over 100 years ago, this G&S perennial favourite continues to entertain, especially at the hands of this enthusiastic company. It is particularly heartening to see so many young faces among the chorus. The appeal of performing in G&S has tended to diminish as the influence of Lloyd Webber has tightened its grip. Christchurch G&S seems to have overcome the problem faced by many other Savoy Opera societies. As well as a lively chorus in excellent voice, this spirited production features some superb individual performances. Zachary Higgins positively revels in the role of the Pirate King, while Olwen Kieser displays charm as Mabel. | Newcomer John Ponting, as pirate apprentice Frederic has the sort of melodic tenor voice many a company would give its eye teeth to have in its ranks. Christine Eastwood does not have the depth of vocal quality to do justice to Frederic's nurse, Ruth, and Gavin Kieser's Major General needs more clarity of diction, although both proved more than capable of acting the parts. Congratulations to Nigel Finch for combining the roles of director and musical director. The production is full of life and humour, with some super original touches, especially with the very young policeman Sebastian Higgins (definitely a chip off his father's block). | |||||||||||||
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| Colourful costumes and fine casting made The Pirates of Penzance, recently performed at Christchurch's Regent Centre, a musical that was awash with colour and vibrancy. Christchurch Gilbert and Sullivan Society put on an outstanding performance and was treated to rapturous applause throughout by the audience. The stars of the show, who undoubtedly won the hearts of the audience, were the two main characters, Frederic and Mabel, played with great effect by John Ponting and Olwen Kieser. The role of Frederic was particularly satisfying for John, who has dreamed of performing the role for 20 years. Since taking his first G&S role in "Iolanthe" in 1974, he has starred in about half of the operettas with various societies but the part of Frederic had always eluded him until now. Olwen, a soloist with the Dorset Philharmonic Orchestra and the Bournemouth Amateur Philharmonic | Society, showed she is a truly fine singer who managed a major part with particular aplomb. A fine comic performance was given by Peter Kent who, as Sergeant of Police, brought to life what is probably the best known comic song in any of the Gilbert & Sullivan operettas, "A policeman's lot is not a happy one". I noticed many a wry smile cross the faces of people in the audience. Pirate King Zachary Higgins and Christine Eastwood, who played Ruth, handled weighty parts very well as did Gavin Kieser (Major General Stanley) and Leonard Godfrey (Samuel). Credit must go to musical director and conductor Nigel Finch and his orchestra. All in all, a superb cast which did justice to one of the best loved of the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. | |||