Festival Theatre, Malvern – 5th September 2024
Reviewed by Courie Amado Juneau
5*****
The National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company once again graces the stage of the wonderful Malvern Theatres, bringing us two classics from the oeuvre of this incomparable pair.
The evening opens with Trial By Jury (1875). It may be small in stage time but it’s certainly not slight in impact. The story centers around a breach of promise of marriage trial…
The entire ensemble were superb but I will especially mention the plaintiff (Claire Ward) and Defendant (Andrew Brown) who made a most melodious and very believable ex-couple. But the standout was Stephen Godward as The Learned Judge, giving us a cross between all the Tories you can think of and a certain Mr B Johnson in particular. Masterful comic timing – especially the handing out of notes to multiple ladies and their reactions.
In truth the whole piece is farcical with everyone’s reactions, the cases presented and the judge’s solution (in particular) being utterly ridiculous. Don’t get me wrong, this is not a negative in any way. In fact, in this lampooning of a very serious procedure, G&S are to my mind taking some po-faced institutions and morals down a necessary peg or two. For that alone I find it a joyful piece, but when music of such wit and charm is added to the mix it is an invitation to quaff deeply of this heady brew. An invitation that is irresistible.
HMS Pinafore (1878) followed; the story of love conquering class divisions on the eponymous vessel. From the opening notes of the Overture the orchestra, lead superbly by Conductor James Hendry, were having a riotous time. It’s not often that music alone has us laughing out loud but they achieved this feat.
Even the most casual observer will recognize several (at least) hummable tunes in this fine score, such as “I’m called Little Buttercup”, “I am the Captain of the Pinafore” and “I am the Monarch of the sea” and all were sparklingly wrought tonight. They did both the company much credit and G&S’s music proud!
Again, the whole cast were sensational – even more so in this piece than the first. I must commend Simon Butteriss for his hilarious rendering of The Rt. Hon Sir Joseph Porter, K.C.B. There was more than a touch of Austin Powers about him, making it a sheer delight to watch. Apart from his facial expressions and some perfectly delivered one liners worthy of Kenneth Williams, the choreography (with mops) during “Never mind the why and wherefore” was rip-roaring and worth the price of admission alone!
I’d like to also heap enormous praise on Phoebe Smith for a Josephine that soared in emotion due to some pitch perfect acting and singing that was absolutely sublime. What a voice, what a talent. I had to locate my socks from the back row after they were thoroughly blown right off! A rare treat to hear singing this stunning.
So, the first of a triptych by the same composers and company this week leaves me feeling on a high and eager to see Pirates tomorrow… And I urge you all to join me in what will undoubtedly be a fabulous evening’s entertainment.