"The temptation to toss in a few contemporary references is seldom resisted these days when companies revive Gilbert & Sullivan. But Burgess Hill Operatic Society went considerably further than that when they stage the Gondoliers: they chucked poor old W.S over the side straight into the Grande Canal. This made an almighty spalsh - particularly with traditionalists. But a good time appeared to be had by almost all.

Director Barry Goodsell decided to do "a bit of a rewrite" so The Gondoliers became The Godfather's Gondoliers, of The Ice Cream King. The Duke of Plaza-Toro was turned into "that very knowing, easy going mastermind... that big shot Tony Toro," while the Gondoliers of the title were romatically attached to Carbonara and Calamari. The sinister Godfather, Don Alhambra and his Mafia pals, were not having any of that though for one of the jerks was married as a child to that tasty broad Casilda Del Toro.

Clearly hours of midnight oil had been invested in this libretto. Some of the lyrics were deft and witty and hung well with the line and mood of the music, although I think devotees might draw the line at "I came to love this big palooka... just like my favourite verruca." [Each to their own - I love Gilbert's witticisms but the verruca line was one of my favourites in the show! Webmaster]

During its best moments the show became The Guys and Dolls Gondoliers with a dash of Anything Goes. Inevitably the libretto in a determined bid to be assertive seemed to distract from the music, although conductor Michael Wood and his well balanced and responsive band did a tremendous job in ensuring that one of Sullivan's finest scores remained firmly aboard the gondola and didn't go over the side as well. A pity, though, that Sparkling Eyes and Rising Early in the Morning couldn't have escaped the forced humour that tended to dilute their inherent lightness and charm.

There could be no faulting the staging and commitment of chorus and cast though. Chris Blenkinsop and Bill Kirwan were dashing gondoliers well partnered by Rachel Brittain and Ann-Marie Fortser. Paul Bryant came good as Luca and Michelle Scott was suitably precocious as Casilda. Duncan Taylor-Jones made his comic mark as Del Toro and Tim Leete was a gravel-voiced Don.

The prodction's values, settings and costumes made the packaging glossy and attractive. As a one-off fun evening it worked in part. But I hope Mr Gilbert is fished out of the lagoon for he surely deserves better than to be a victim of the Mafia."

Mark Gale.

This review appeared in the Mid Sussex Times on 16th October 2003.

If you have a comment about the show, why not let us know?
E-mail gondoliers@bhos.demon.co.uk