The Gondoliers

This is real Gilbert and Sullivan from witty conversation to great music. And of course, the twists and turns of culture and education. Almost a Greek play turns out one of two republican gondoliers is, in reality, the king of Barataria and that is just for starters. Keith Michell (also played in Ruddigore) as Don Alhambra del Bolero does not have a lot of stage time but a great present.

On the whole, this presentation was quite satisfying.

Song index 1. Introduction: Doulas Fairbanks, Jr.

ACT I 2. Overture and Credits 3. List and lean, ye dainty roses (Opening Chorus: Contadino) 4. We're called "Gondolieri" (Duet: Marco and Giuseppe) 5. From the sunny Spanish shore Te Duke of Plaza-Tor' (Entrance of Duke, Duchess, Casilda, and Luiz) 6. That celebrated, cultivates, underrated nobleman, The Duke of Plaza-Toro!

(Song: Duke) 7. There was a time...forever gone...ah, woe is me!

(Duet: Casilda and Luiz) 8. Not that there is no matter of doubt No possible doubt whatever (Song: Don Alhambra) 9. Try we life-long, we can never Straighten out life's tangled skein (Quintet: Duke, Duchess, Casilda, Luiz, and Don Alhambra) 10. When a merry maiden marries (Song: Tessa) 11. Kind sir, you cannot have a heart our lives to Part (Song: Gianetta) 12. Oh, 'tis a glorious thing, I ween, to be a regular Royal Queen!

(Quartet: Marco, Giuseppe, Gianetta, and Tessa) 13. Everyone who feels inclined Some post, we undertake to find (Duet: Marco and Giuseppe) 14. In yonder isle beyond the sea, do not forget you've married me!

(Duet: Gianetta and Tessa) 15. Entr'acte: Fairbanks Act II 16. Opening Chorus 17. Rising early in the morning We proceed to light the fire (Song: Giuseppe and Chorus) 18. Take a pair of sparkling eyes (Song: Marco) 19. After sailing to this island... We are all once more on dry land (Duet: Tessa and Gianetta) 20. Dance a cachucha, fandango, bolero (Chorus and Dance) 21. There lived a King, as I've been told (Song: Don Alhambra) 22. In a contemplative fashion And a Tranquil frame of mind (Quartet: Marco, Giuseppe, Gianetta, and Tessa) 23. On the day when I was wedded to your admirable sire (Song: Duchess) 24. Small Tittles and orders of Mayors and Recorders (Duet: Duke and Duchess) 25. I am a courtier grave and serious Who is about to kiss your hand (Gavotte: Due, Duchess, Casilda, Marco, and Giuseppe)

As I said in the review title, I find the D'Oyly Carte Gilbert and Sullivan productions hit and miss. There have been some good productions like Iolanthe, Cox and Box and Princess Ida, but also some disappointments such as HMS Pinafore(the worst of the series), Pirates of Penzanze and Yeomen. Their production of The Gondoliers was one of the better ones though for me, only let down by the efficiently sung but too straight-forward performance of the Duke by Eric Shilling(I never really got the sense that the Duke was one of G&S's most comic characters) and some flagging sound in numbers like In Enterprise of Marital Kind. However, the video directing is better than in Penzanze for example, actually not dulling the handsome production values too much. The choreography is mostly sprightly and energetic especially in the Act 2 Gavotte, the dialogue and lyric witty(a couple of minor cuts but no really embarrassing additions or updates) and the orchestral playing, chorus singing and conducting outstanding. I was impressed by the principals in general. Sandra Dugdale doesn't have that much to do as Casilda, but really makes the most of O Rapture! When Alone Together. Keith Michell is different than the usual "menacing monster/charming man caught up in an unpleasant profession" Alhambra, more soft-spoken and quietly condescending, but this approach did work, and while starting off stiff the Giuseppe of Tom McDonnell sounds beautiful and is much more relaxed by Rising Early in the Morning. But my favourite performance was that of Francis Egerton as Marco, who is so quirky and full of life in his presence. In a nutshell, a very good Gondoliers production and one of the better productions of the series. 8/10 Bethany Cox