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WS
GILBERT intended this to be a satire on the then
fashionable aesthetic movement, and it works best when
the characterisations are larger than life. In that
respect this production, directed by Nigel Finch,
succeeded only in part, but when it did work it was very
good indeed. Certain performances really stood out,in
particular Brian Oliver, who excelled as poet Archibald
Grosvenor. He sang superbly, and the manner in which he
used his cloak as a prop was a stroke of genius. The
object of his affections, dairy maid Patience, was also
beautifully played, with a lovely rustic accent, by Ruth
Hastings. In contrast, Brian Morgan's |
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portrayal
of rival poet Reginald Bunthorne came across as rather
prosaic,and many of his lines were lost in his somewhat
rapid-fire delivery. Matthew Stevens (Major), Robert
Eshelby (Duke) and Mark Ward
(Colonel) were a splendidly over-the-top aesthetic trio,
and Christine Eastwood (Lady Jane), Jill Nuthall (Lady
Ella),Cora Hardy (Lady Saphir)and Susy Senior (Lady
Angela) also more than made their mark. Chorus singing
was strong, although there were one or two occasions when
they failed to keep pace with the very fine orchestra.
But that did not detract from what was, on the whole, an
enjoyable production. Linda Kirkman
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