gsyork.co.ukG&SSociety

Patience: A Review by Jack Murphy
Thursday 11th February 1999

From the moment that the idiosyncratically shod musical director took the stage it was obvious that this was a production which would not be shackled by a century of Gilbert and Sullivan tradition. Patience is a satire of the aesthetic movement of the 1880's which was led by Oscar Wilde, yet this production, whilst remaining true to the spirit of the original, moves away from specific topicality and instead concentrates the fire of its wit at that most Gilbertian of themes, pretension and duplicity. This fast paced production, with its beautifully realised psychedelic set (a homage to the magic roundabout), delivers on a number of different levels.

As one would expect from the G&S society the singing and orchestration are of a high quality, as ever the diction and expression of both chorus and principals, in the harsh arena of Central Hall, is impeccable. However, this production also had a wit and visual invention which is highly commendable, from the pink uddered cow to the mincing full monty of the Dragoon Guards there was an undeniably appealing energy that was hard to resist.

The principals were all united in their excellence, among their many fine qualities were : David Bignell's ability to hop, sing and maintain his dignity all at the same time; Ruth Elleson's devotion to duty in wearing the most repulsive dress in York; Anthony Gardner's frighteningly realistic egomania; David York's faultless timing; Anita Chaudhuri's unusually ballsy Patience and Tim Tower's engagingly daffy Duke. Richard Lee was as usual, as usual. All in all, a good night out with a second act that is a fast paced comic dream.

Images

Production Team

  • Director:
    • Emma Walkey
  • Musical Director:
    • Hugh Parker
  • Production Manager:
    • David Pumfrey
  • Director's Assistant:
    • Abi Robertson
  • Choreographer
    • Vika Frary

Crew

Cast

  • Patience
    • Anita Chaudhuri
  • Reginald Bunthorne
    • David Bignell
  • Archibald Grosvenor
    • Anthony Gardner
  • Colonel Calverley
    • David York
  • The Duke of Dunstable
    • Tim Towers
  • Major Murgatroyd
    • Robert Nightingale
  • Lady Jane
    • Ruth Elleson
  • Lady Angela
    • Alison Duncan
  • Lady Saphir
    • Fiona Bolam
  • Lady Ella
    • Louise Pullen
  • Gertrude (the cow) as herself

Chorus

  • Men
  • Women

Orchestra

Acknowledgements