Iolanthe at The Redgrave Theatre - Review
Posted on: 2018-04-19
Our rating:
Bristol GSOS’s incredible vocals and orchestration, mixed with charming sets, stunning costumes and enthusiastic performances from the accomplished cast, make this a glittering production well worth seeing.
Bristol’s Gilbert and Sullivan Operatic Society have brought the masterly operetta Iolanthe to an enchanted stage at The Redgrave Theatre, where fairies and humans come together to create a riot of colour and sound. Considered to be one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s greatest works this tale of fairy folk and magical mayhem has entranced audiences since it was first performed. A fantastically funny and still incredibly relevant satirical masterpiece it continues to appeal to theatre going crowds, with a recent English National Opera production proving to be a sell-out success at London’s Coliseum.
Bristol GSOS have been a leading light on Bristol’s amateur theatre scene for many years and have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with, so I had high expectations of a first class performance and I was not disappointed.
Iolanthe is the story of a fairy who is cast out of Fairyland and forced into exile after she marries a mortal man, a crime too terrible for the fairies to countenance. Twenty five years later the fairies still pine for their vibrant and well-loved friend, so call on the Fairy Queen to pardon her and welcome her back into the fold. Iolanthe returns and discloses that she had a son with her human husband. The child Strephon is now an adult who is in love with shepherdess Phyllis, he wants to marry her but he has a battle on his hands as Phyllis has a dilemma; she is so beautiful that all the peers in the House of Lords are fighting for her hand. Cue lots of misunderstandings, mistaken identity and frenzied drama as the peers are threatened by the fairies before everything comes together in a suitable fairy tale ending.
This mixed-up saga is typical of the topsy-turvy worlds Gilbert and Sullivan are so renowned for creating, and the flamboyant chaos unfolding is fabulously entertaining to watch. It merges all the traditional elements of the show including having beautiful little lights twinkling in the fairies hair –the first ever fairy lights were created for the premiere of Iolanthe in 1882- with a series of updated jokes and ponderings about The Kardashians, Miley Cyrus and a fun verse about Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees during ‘Oh, foolish fay’.
Show director Hannah Coleman does a great job of bringing the story to life. She clearly knows her cast and is able to get the very most from each and every one. Apart from the odd stumble over a line or mix up with positioning this is a strong performance from a solid ensemble, who create a mystical fairy world and sound fantastic singing together.
In a strong cast, Marjory Huckle is particularly impressive as the Fairy Queen. She is a commanding presence –aided by a fabulous costume and striking hair and make-up- and has a real flair for the comic moments, all the while showing off her considerable vocal talent. Adrian Cooper is also a stand out, giving a brilliant performance as the Lord Chancellor; hilarious at times and at others a little lost and vulnerable, he shows off some fine acting skills while delivering some super vocals.
An energetic performance by Ian Long as Strephon, a feisty Phyllis portrayed with a perfect mix of charm and petulance by Francesca Costigan and a delightful lyrical performance by Marianne Murray as the ethereal Iolanthe round out the main players beautifully.
Laughter, drama, mystical mix-ups and a compelling love story make Iolanthe a captivating tale. Bristol GSOS’s incredible vocals and orchestration, mixed with charming sets, stunning costumes and enthusiastic performances from the accomplished cast, make this a glittering production well worth seeing.
Iolanthe is showing until Saturday 21st April 2018 – get tickets here.
Article by:
Sarah-Jane is an aficionado of film, theatre, culture and the arts. A voracious reader and avid crafter, she can be found volunteering her face painting talents at Bristol Zoo when she's not cementing her reputation as Coalpit Heath’s cake maker extraordinaire. Known to have an opinion on everything she’s never happier than when sharing these with the good folk of Bristol!
