 | Christchurch Gilbert and Sullivan Society | |
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| Christchurch Gilbert and Sullivan Society | |
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The mountain of the Gods - Olympus is in ruins and the Gods reputation on earth is in tatters, having dwindled in popularity over the centuries. They keep their immortality by relying on Mercury stealing hair dyes, pills, and cosmetics from the mortals on earth. Their peace is shattered by the arrival of Thespis' Theatrical Company from earth preceded by two young lovers, Sparkeion and Nicemis. It is their wedding day and when Thespis and the rest of the troupe finally catch up they settle for a picnic on Mount Olympus.
The Gods hidden from sight listen to the mortals and in the end reveal themselves and try to frighten Thespis and troupe away. However Thespis meets with Jupiter and Jupiter recognising Thespis as a manager with great influence, questions him as to the lack of popularity of the Gods on earth.
Thespis suggests that the Gods should go to earth to find out and that his company will take their places until they return. Jupiter agrees and the Gods go to earth leaving Mercury to look after the mortals.
A year passes and on the surface of it everything seems fine on Mount Olympus. They have repaired the temple. Unfortunately the roles of the gods have been given to the mortals unevenly and the management has been weak resulting in a series of major problems.
For instance, Nicemis is playing Diana the moon God but because she is frightened of the dark she is accompanied by her lover Sparkeion, but he has assumed the role of Apollo - the sun god so now the sun shines at night. Cupid is played by a youth who only has eyes for the girls and so never fires any arrows at men.
The time for the annual court arrives when the complaints of the mortals are heard. Thespis presides over the court attended by his troupe; Jupiter Mars and Apollo disguised as reporters for the Athenian press.
A long list of grumbles is read out. Grapes contain ginger beer because Tipsion who has assumed the role of Bacchus has "taken the pledge". As the catalogue of disasters is read out the Gods reveals themselves and dispose the actors, banish them back to earth as a troupe of tragedians whom no-one ever goes to see, whilst the Gods begin to sort out problems the actors have left behind.