Director Tim Leete was apparently surprised by the society choosing a show that is not widely known for their 50th anniversary produciton. He anticipated an old favourite like The Mikado. Well, he need not have worried for by imaginitively setting the show in the 1920s and performing it as a movie he turned what could have been a very ordinary piece into a really funny and entertaining evening. It had all the ingredients of pantomime, plenty of humour, the guys gets the girl, wonderful sets and everyone in the cast giving 150 per cent.
Peter Gacsall, an experienced G&S musical director, had trained his cast and orchestra well. The numbers were well delivered and much appreciated by the audiences.
Rachel Brittain as Rose Maybud the heroine (though a slightly odd one) gave a delightful performance and her work with both the Australian sailor (he wasn't really - he'd just been over there a long time) - Ian Hollamby, and the man she evntually marries, Barry Goodsell, who played his part as a slightly camp, very wet individual, were extremely funny.
Duncan Taylor and Jennifer Goodsell excelled in their roles as the baddy of the piece and the very strange (she required some professional medical help) lady he eventually marries. Cherry Woodhouse and Simon Russell both turned in their ususal very good performances and the two female chorus leads, Anne Marie Forster and Dawn Holland, turned in attractive and humorous performances.
They were all supported by a strong chorus in a show which, through Tim Leete's directing, suggested a really good movie."
Jan Case.
