Carry On Gilbert & Sullivan
"The enthusiasm and talent of this mainly Oxford based cast ensure that the pace never falters - It all adds up to two hours of pure delight"
Nicola Lisle, The Oxford Times. (full review)
"A really sincere and big thank you to you and all the members of 'Opera Anywhere' for 3 absolutely wonderful evenings. Already this morning, word seems to have got around the House that the whole event was a great success, and everyone has been telling me how good they hear it was. The very high standard of singing, the excellent accompanist, the comedy, the acting, every aspect of the show was just brilliant. I am so delighted both for you and for us, as it is always very rewarding to see lots of contented people leaving an event. In fact I did not hear one murmur of any kind of criticism, which is very rare indeed, so please do pass on Waddesdon's grateful thanks for making this event such a success"
Stephanie Swann, Waddesdon Manor.
Background
Originally written for Opera Anywhere in 2001 by Robin Martin-Oliver and adapted in 2004 by Annabel Molyneaux for Opera Anywhere's Christmas performances at Waddesdon Manor, Sunningwell, Sth Hinksey & Abingdon
Our ‘Carry On Gilbert & Sullivan’ show was inspired by a real life experience Vanessa had during the auditions for one of the final shows produced by The D’oyly Carte opera company, at the Savoy in London, just a few years ago. The characters she met in line cueing down the road waiting for their auditions resemble some of those you will see on stage today!
Our story commences with an opera director under pressure, during the process of auditioning and producing a brand new opera ‘The Pirates of Titti Poo’. A more varied selection of performers he is never likely to encounter again as each hopeful shares more than just an aria with him in attempt to impress and win a place in his aspiring company… the ‘Oily Ph’Arte Opera Company’.
By the end of the morning our ever optimistic and generous director is close to despair, only one ray of sunlight has entered his gloom…. Frederick.. A talented, magnetic personality who draws others to him and with the voice of an angel. It’s love at first sight as Frederick inevitably wins the lead-role of Lord Alfred l‘Bouchenaire, a titled sea-fairing man recently released from prison for piracy on the high seas.
He has returned to the noble land of Titti-Poo (from where he has been absent for many years), to restore his rightful claim to the l’Bouchenaire Estate and to procure a bride in his desire to continue the family line.
A proclamation is read to this effect which immediately throws the ‘women’ of Titti-Poo into competition for the hand of such noble prize as Lord Alfred… but our story has a strange and unusual twist as the events of Lord Alfred’s arrest and departure to a prison on some far, distant shore, are brought to light.
“ If music be the food of love…”, then we are eternally grateful to Messrs. Gilbert & Sullivan for the providing thereof. Carry On singing! (do please respect an ancient tradition and join in with the Titti-Poo salute which happens every time the name of Titti-Poo is mentioned. We thank you for your cooperation).
Act One
Setting - Auditions for Oily Ph’Arte Opera Company
As some day it may happen (The Mikado)
The Sentry’s Song (Iolanthe)
When a felon’s not engaged (Pirates of Penzance)
Sad is that woman’s lot (Patience)
A wandering minstrel I - (The Mikado)
Alone and yet alive (The Mikado)
Tit Willow (The Mikado)
Poor wandering one (Pirates of Penzance)
A More Humane Mikado (The Mikado)
Act Two
Setting - Dress Rehearsal for “The Pirates of Titti Poo”
Behold the Lord Alfred L’Bouchenaire (The Mikado)
When Frederick was a little lad (Pirates of Penzance)
The flowers that bloom in the spring (The Mikado)
Oh is there not one Maiden breast (Pirates)
Here’s a how de do! (The Mikado)
There is beauty in the bellow of the blast (The Mikado)
The Sun Whose Rays (The Mikado)
Sorry her lot (H.M.S. Pinafore)
Three Little Maids from School are we (The Mikado)
None shall part us (Iolanthe)
If we’re weak enough to tarry (Iolanthe)
Brightly Dawns our Wedding day (The Mikado)
