Wellington G&S Light Opera
Garth Wilshere
Wellington G&S Light Opera
Trial by Jury & HMS Pinafore
Wellington Opera House
Reviewed by Garth Wilshere
DIRECTOR Gillian Jerome’s production was safe, straightforward, and worked effectively if too conservative for my taste.
The sets and costumes looked handsome, but the lighting was inadequate and the performance style wasn’t consistent. Missing was variety in pacing, whether it was drama or comedy, but it was all accomplished with great enthusiasm that did much to make up for any shortcomings. the audience clearly enjoyed seeing their friends, partners and colleagues on stage. The orchestra under conductor Matthew Ross played quite well, although the pace, zing and sparkle that G&S really needs wasn’t always there. The music needs to snap along and in places it dragged, and there were some issues between pit and stage, but there was no doubting that the cast were enjoying themselves.
In Trial by Jury David Skinner had the measure of the Judge, and the sparring plaintive and defendant in this breach of promise case, Lynley Snelling and Peter King captured the spirit well.
The chorus was lusty, although words were not clear, but diction and enunciation did improve in Pinafore.
Colin Eade as Sir Joseph Porter in Pinafore stood out with the appropriate touch and style, Stephanie Gartrell was good as Buttercup and Malinda di Leva as Josephine caught the lovelorn character nicely with Christopher Berentson within his capabilities as her truelove, Ralph Rackshaw.
These amateur productions contained the essence of what was required, if not always as smartly and cohesively as I would have liked.
Trial by Jury & HMS Pinafore
Wellington Opera House
Reviewed by Garth Wilshere
DIRECTOR Gillian Jerome’s production was safe, straightforward, and worked effectively if too conservative for my taste.
The sets and costumes looked handsome, but the lighting was inadequate and the performance style wasn’t consistent. Missing was variety in pacing, whether it was drama or comedy, but it was all accomplished with great enthusiasm that did much to make up for any shortcomings. the audience clearly enjoyed seeing their friends, partners and colleagues on stage. The orchestra under conductor Matthew Ross played quite well, although the pace, zing and sparkle that G&S really needs wasn’t always there. The music needs to snap along and in places it dragged, and there were some issues between pit and stage, but there was no doubting that the cast were enjoying themselves.
In Trial by Jury David Skinner had the measure of the Judge, and the sparring plaintive and defendant in this breach of promise case, Lynley Snelling and Peter King captured the spirit well.
The chorus was lusty, although words were not clear, but diction and enunciation did improve in Pinafore.
Colin Eade as Sir Joseph Porter in Pinafore stood out with the appropriate touch and style, Stephanie Gartrell was good as Buttercup and Malinda di Leva as Josephine caught the lovelorn character nicely with Christopher Berentson within his capabilities as her truelove, Ralph Rackshaw.
These amateur productions contained the essence of what was required, if not always as smartly and cohesively as I would have liked.
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