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Director: Alistair Donkin
Musical Director: Mark Goggins
Reviews
Review from NODA - May 2001
by John Flay
The Gondoliers is the last of the "great" Savoy operas. This traditional production had at times business from the D'Oyly Carte's Anthony Besch 1968 re-staging and was directed with clarity and vigour. The M.D. made sure the music was toe-tapping, it also had pace and was snappy. With a lively cast and well pitched performances from the Gondoliers (Christopher Halpin and Anthony Noden) and their brides Gianetta and Tessa (Eileen Jackson and Janice Rendel).
They were ably supported by Robert Wardle as the the Duke of Plaza-Toro who endeared himself to the audience, while the Duchess of Plaza-Toro was played by Alison Davis whose stage presence added immeasurably to the production.
The chorus sang lustily and there was an imaginative set design by Margaret Norris. It was a shame the costumes by Elizabeth Stageware did not have the same imagination.
This revival was true to this society's orthodox Gilbert and Sullivan productions.
Emails and Letters
Thanks once again for a most enjoyable evening at the Garrick. As a Gand S fan, I thought I knew everything there was to know about the opera. How wrong I was ! Your production managed to open my eyes to original interpretations by you. Thanks again and congratulations on another triumph.
Elva Towler
Just a short message to say how much we enjoyed Friday's performance of The GONDOLIERS. The delivery was fresh, and all singers were strong-Eileen, Alison, Tony, Bob, Ronald shouldn't be mentioned by name but I do so as their performances stood out. Alistair Donkin's direction was brilliant and the stage business novel. I liked the thread of the waiter running throughout (he made more of the part than he did in the prof. Buxton production last year). The orchestral arrangements were noticeably different and on fri. the trumpet seemed to be doubling for the horns. Maybe you were using James Newby's score for a reduced orchestra, I don't know.
Ray Walker
We just want to say how much 7 of us enjoyed the brilliant performance of 'The Gondoliers' last Saturday night. You were all absolutely marvellous and put so much effort into it. We belong to Urmston Choral and have sung various Gilbert and Sullivan pieces and we thoroughly enjoy seeing it brought to life on the stage by your Society, with such colourful costumes. Your productions are always excellent but we think this stands out as one of the best. Many thanks for a superb evening's entertainment. Neil and Wendy Barnes.