In
this centenary year
of “The Yeomen of the Guard”, societies who perform
Gilbert and
Sullivan have a strong reason for choosing the show. It takes them
into a tragic realm, and brings a demand for depth of acting not
often found in G&S.
East
Norfolk Operatic
Society at Broadland High School, Hoveton, whose vivacity in the
comic pieces has become a blessing, do not find the heart of it, and
the collapse of poor Jack Point (John McInnes) leaves us dry-eyed.
It
becomes an
elaborately staged singalong, making its greatest successes visually
and musically.
Produced
by George
Baker, with Dennis Johnson as Musical Director, it has a big
orchestra capable of lovely sounds and a chorus who often sound very
fine, though they don't always look as though they are part of what's
going on.
In
the absence of
totally engaging performances one is grateful for the diction of
Keith Wincote as Col Fairfax, the beautiful appearance of Beverley
McInnes' Elsie Maynard, and the imposing presence of Kenneth Davis as
Lieutenant of the Tower.
The
production plays
for the rest of the week.
Neville Miller
Copyright
© 1988 Archant
Regional. All
rights
reserved.