An Evening of Gilbert and Sullivan - Friday 5th February 2010

Date: Sunday 7 February 2010

As the half term break approaches, it seemed fitting that an introduction to the works of Gilbert and Sullivan was presented, as a taster to the forthcoming Junior School production of Iolanthe. The evening was led by our director Richard Austen, and gave us an insight into the lives of these two prolific artists of the late Nineteenth Century. 'Iolanthe' is an unusual choice you might say, but one that has provided many fresh challenges, and breaks the mould of the 'run of the mill' modern day musical.

Extracts from 'The Pirates of Penzance', 'Ruddigore', 'The Yeomen of the Guard', 'HMS Pinafore', 'The Gondoliers', 'Patience' and 'The Mikado' were heard and performed by the group Music a la Carte; a group formed a number of years ago by members of The Maidstone Gilbert and Sullivan Society. In addition, guest appearances by Mrs Janet Mander and the Reverend Robert Prance were a real treat, and they looked very much at home in their respective roles, it has to be said! The audience were also given a sneak preview of a selection of 'Iolanthe' songs by soloists Keeva Challis, Eleanor Booton, Rosa Hirons, Lily Carr, Holly Bayly, Sam Mousley and George Boucher, plus the full chorus of fairies and peers. And, who could forget James Low’s wonderful patter song, who surely must break the St Edmund’s record for squeezing the maximum number of words into one song. Well done to all, and good luck with the show in March! Tickets are now available from the school office.

Many thanks to Spencer Payne for this review; he can now relax, after a very busy weekend, before the rigours of AS recitals on Tuesday!

Photographs copyright Thomas Hooley 2010