A feast of delights that’s Mostly G&S

MOSTLY G&S The Oakwood Centre

MOSTLY G&S presented a treat for devotees last week with their productions at The Oakwood Centre, Woodley.

On the bill were two short works composed by Sir Arthur Sullivan – Cox and Box, his first venture into the world of comic opera with a libretto by FC Burnand and Trial by Jury the first of his many successful Savoy Opera collaborations with Sir WS Gilbert.

As one of the aforementioned G&S aficionados, it was particularly enjoyable to hear Burnand’s original libretto specially restored for the company by Jeff Trim (who also sang the role of John James Box), rather than the severely truncated version usually performed.

Completing the cast, Iain Whittaker sang as John James Cox and Mark Williams added to our enjoyment with his entertaining performance as Sergeant Bouncer, the conniving lodging-house keeper.

Modern musicals rarely afford singers opportunities to create the rich harmonies of older operettas and the whole company fully grasped that opportunity with Trial by Jury, delighting us with their musical talents. Derek Heape (Usher) struggled valiantly to maintain some form of order in his court room and despite interjections by Gareth Watkins (Counsel for the Plaintiff), the gulf between the Plaintiff (Jess Harris) and the Defendant (Steve McAdam) deepened until the wily Learned Judge (Rod Whyte) came up with an obvious solution!

Two excellent productions. I look forward to their next production of The Yeoman of the Guard in March.