Glorious gondoliers really push the boat out
The Gondoliers (Gilbert & Sullivan Festival, Harrogate) Verdict: Exhilarating visually and musically
WHEN not quarrelling, G&S created powerful synergy, and in The Gondoliers they were on peak form, the writer bubbling with nonsensical ideas, the composer producing some of his most charming, touching, intoxicating music. We start in Venice, but no one turns a hair when the Spanish Grand Inquisitor turns up and we then move to the never-neverland of Barataria. Besides the Italian saltarello, tarantella and barcarolle, Sullivan gives us a graceful French gavotte and a brilliant Andalusian cachucha — very well sung and danced. Jeremy Corbyn would be quite at home in Barataria, where the two leading gondoliers share the throne and practise complete equality with their courtiers. To placate rebels in his company, Gilbert threw in more equality, writing ten leading parts, all but one taken very well here. Richard Gauntlett is hilariously crusty as the status-conscious Duke of Plaza-Toro, skint but expert at playing the aristocratic system — not much has changed there. Baritone Kevin Greenlaw, new to G&S, and tenor Robin Bailey make mellifluous gondoliers, and Claire Lees and Una McMahon are delightful as their partners. Bruce Graham, got up in cardinal red piping, is the ideal Inquisitor, singing pointedly with fine tone and superb enunciation. Sylvia Clarke is a plummy but funny Duchess and daughter Casilda beautifully sung by Elinor Jane Moran. I could wish for a better Luiz for her than cracked toned Oliver White. Amy J. Payne makes the most of her brief limelight as Inez, who unravels the convoluted plot. Stephen Holroyd’s sets are rudimentary, but will work well on tour. John Savournin’s staging is expertly handled and Philip Aiden’s choreography is as colourful as Tony Brett’s costumes. David Steadman conducts the splendid little National Festival Orchestra stylishly and the hard-worked chorus is first-rate.
THE National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company tours Gondoliers, Pinafore and its new Mikado from August 31.