'Iolanthe' production taking shape

Date: Thursday 11 February 2010

57 children in Years 6 to 8 make up the cast of this term’s production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Iolanthe and they arefully engaged in a busy rehearsal schedule, with full cast rehearsals on two evenings each week and additional rehearsals for soloists at lunchtimes. There are ten soloists, a chorus of fairies and a chorus of lords. Mr Austen is directing, Mr Payne is leading the musical training and the Chaplain is also coaching soloists and sharing his enthusiasm for G and S. Senior School girls Amy and Aimee are the choreographers, and Mr Hawkins Snr and Mr Hawkins Jnr are masterminding the lighting and set design. In fact there are over 60 people in supporting roles ensuring that set, lights, sound, props, costume and make-up and so on are all fantastic; and there is a 20-piece orchestra too.

There will be four performances, with matinees at 2pm on the afternoons of Thursday and Friday 11^th and 12^th March, and evening performances at 7.30pm on Friday and Saturday 12^th and 13^th March. Tickets are free from the School box office in the main School Office, though there will be a retiring collection to be split between covering some of the production costs and the Stella Appeal. All profits from the bar, to be run by the Junior School Parents’ Association, will go to the Stella Appeal.

As well as being a love story, Iolanthe takes a satirical look at the House of Lords, and some would say it still has resonance today. This production will be a fairy-filled, wonderful colourful spectacular: do come!

Photographs copyright Thomas Hooley 2010