THE GONDOLIERS
A message from our director, Andy Boughton:
For me the wheels of time and my involvement with amateur musicals have rolled on over forty years. Just how many productions I have been involved with I don’t know; I’ve never counted. However, I do remember my very first production very well; “The Gondoliers”. I knew more about Gilbert O’Sullivan at that time, but I thought this acting and singing lark would be fun and I wasn’t disappointed. So here I am umpty-nine years on, too old to play my original part as a Gondolier, directing this production for the Players – and delighted I am too.
G&S. Gilbert & Sullivan. Frequently when a society announces its next production is a G&S, society members fall into two camps: group 1 G&S – groan and sulk, and group 2 G&S – great and splendid! I’ve been involved in about ten G&S shows and I’ve enjoyed them all. For a start I enjoyed the four part chorus singing and gained a great feeling of satisfaction and secondly the witty, satirical libretto of Gilbert appeals to my taste.
From 1905, when the Players formed, until 1951 the society staged only G&S productions with casts of thousands (well, dozens!). Ennui comes to mind! Over-crowded stages and overly static performances, but these aspects are things of the past. I wish to build on the inherent quality of the show and energise and visually humorise the production. No more statics and much more dynamism and essentially enjoyment for those involved.
Well what is the show story? It is the usual daft and silly implausible tale of love and romance and social inequality and everybody living happy ever after. It is set in Venice (well there’s a surprise) and no doubt about Gondoliers; well not really. It is more about an impoverished Spanish aristocratic old codger and his wife and a chap with a drum, plus also the usual bevy of beautiful maidens spending most of their time sitting on the Rialto Bridge flower arranging, whilst young gondoliers punt up and down the Grand Canal drinking chianti.
“The Gondoliers” has maintained its popularity and appeal with casts and audiences for 120 years since it was first performed. It is one of the best G&S productions and offers opportunities for principal roles across a wide range of ages and voices. Plus good chorus involvement, full-on rehearsals and cast satisfaction assured. If you are interested and feel you can put up with my sense of humour, then come along to the show presentation on Tuesday 30th October.
P.S. This production will in no way be affected by the outcome of Brexit negotiations!!
The Gondoliers will be presented at the Haslemere Hall from Tuesday 26 to Saturday 30 March 2019. Performances will be at 7.30pm each evening, with a matinee at 2.30pm on the Saturday. Check back here for news of tickets going on sale!