FOLLOWING their success at last year’s Harrogate Gilbert and Sullivan Festival for their performance of The Pirates of Penzance, director Jon North was faced with a daunting task to ‘follow that!’ Supported by co-director Joseph Hand, he presented a vibrant show that had the cast of more than thirty fully engaged and a packed audience enthralled.
Topically a celebration of everything English, the storyline contains many of the usual G&S characters; pompous officials – in this case Owen Perring, impressive as Sir Joseph Porter, as well as starcrossed lovers – Tom Hudson (Ralph Rackstraw) and the star of the show Jenny Riggs (Josephine).
Ben Cousins takes the male honours vocally, as Captain Corcoran, with Jenny Samuel (fine characterisation as Little Buttercup), Alex Blelloch (Cousin Hebe) and Jack Houghton (Dick Deadeye) all making valid contributions.
The ensemble was enthusiastic and we enjoyed George Smith and Barnaby Wilson’s excellent band.
Alan Johns
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