At last! A clutch of knee-knocking nervous coppers and a Mummerset accent - this is one of the most enjoyable performances I have seen, better in many respects than received pronunciation or some of the Broadway-style Keystone Cops renditions. I am all for freedom of interpretation; but surely there has to be some connection to the "real" world of the plot? Well done, GOS!
What a shame this Bunthorne is wearing yellow! The person in charge of stage set and costumes did not read the lyrics to Bunthorne's confession that he does not care for 'dirty greens' by any means. In other productions he is usually dressed in an earthy green or olive green and the costume must be of velvet. The whole point of Bunthorne's 'existence' is to make fun of Oscar Wilde who was similarly attired!
I felt the constables and sergeant needed to be louder and funnier - it is after all a "Ta-ran-tara". The girls wonderful interjection needed also to be over-acted - they are after all sending the boys off "to glory...and the grave !"
Just to add, Robin Wells sadly died on July 28th not August 28th, and he was the musical director for more than 50 productions. There are many other pieces worth looking at on RU-vid. Watch RU-vid for the next GOS performance in 2017 of Iolanthe.
This was conducted by the Godalming Operatic Society's wonderful Musical Director Robin Wells who sadly died on August 28th 2016. This wonderful performance owes immense credit to Robin who has directed and inspired more than 25 productions of the society producing G & S operas performed in Godalming, Guildford, Leatherhead, Buxton, Waterford and Harrogate. His memory will last for ever in his wonderful musical contributions to the UK and beyond.
I agree... I was very luck y to see it done "right" with The D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, and John Reed as Jack Pointe. If have a chance watch the dvd of The Gilbert and Sullivan Story. See the great Martyn Green do this ending.... He often said that this was most favorite role Jack Pointe shoots himself, ha, ha.
Very nice. Lovely quality. Thank you for sharing! I was in a local production of Patience in '06; the costumes and staging were most unconventional. Imagine the Soldiers of Our Queen in football uniforms and shoulder pads.
