United Kingdom Buxton International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival [3] – Iolanthe: Soloists of Charles Court Opera, National Festival Orchestra / David Eaton (conductor). Buxton Opera House, Derbyshire, 7.8.2026. (RW)
A comic opera without a chorus and only eight players? Well believe me, the concept works splendidly especially when the opening chorus is sung as a duet of fairies that eventually rises to a quartet. The setting is the library of the Palace of Westminster where a doddery librarian interrupts the fairies and also takes on the roles of Strephon and Private Willis, with a first-class portrayal by Matthew Palmer. The disguise is so good the audience don’t recognise the three characters as being the same person.
In this production Strephon changes his role of an Arcadian shepherd to one more fitting, that of a Westminster groundsman! What is unique about John Savournin’s production is the fact that one of the peers, Lord Mountararat, is played by a woman to allow a witty impersonation of Margaret Thatcher to take place. Catrine Kirkman’s mannerisms, facial distortions and voice fitted the characterisation superbly. Amusing complications occur when the two Lords admit they are both in love with Phyllis. None of Gilbert’s words needed to be changed and this of course adds to the humour.
Philip Lee delivered a faultless Nightmare Song, though I am not sure that the score changes to Sullivan’s woodwind decoration provided any beneficial effect. If something is not broken, why try and fix it? There was a lot of lively stage action and an excellent pace was maintained throughout the vocal numbers. I liked the character change of the Fairy Queen from the familiar, traditionally-haughty D’Oyly Carte style to a more natural and believable character as played here by Meriel Cunningham. Her more contralto-like mezzo-soprano voice was rich and vibrant in ‘O, foolish fay’. Clutching a book she reveals to the audience a portrait of Captain Shaw to whom she is singing. This certainly helps those members of the audience who have never heard of this head of London’s Fire Brigade in 1883.
It was nice to see a mature David Menezes return to the Buxton stage where from a youngster in Festival productions he learnt his art of playing Gilbert & Sullivan. As Lord Tolloller his interaction with Mountararat and Phyllis was sincere and believable. Llio Evans portrayed the innocence of Phyllis perfectly and showed her stubbornness in dismissing the Lords’ nonsense with the force it deserved.
The Festival Orchestra was in the capable hands of David Eaton. A few unscripted rallentandos were introduced where they generally had a good effect. The singing was nicely balanced in the ensembles and the elegant stage pictures worked well.
Raymond Walker
Featured Image: ‘Titles shall ennoble, then, all the Common Councilmen’ © Craig Fuller
Production:
Director – John Savournin
Choreographer – Merry Holden
Set design – Rachel Szmukler
Costume design – Molly Fraser
Lighting – Ben Pickersgill
Cast:
Lord Chancellor – Philip Lee
Lord Montararat – Catrine Kirkman
Lord Tolloller – David Menezes
Strephon / Librarian / Willis – Matthew Palmer
Queen of Fairies – Meriel Cunningham
Phyllis – Llio Evans
Iolanthe – Eleanor O’Driscoll
Celia – Sarah Prestwidge
Leila – Martha Jones