|
NORTHAMPTON Trinity Grammar
School's production of RUDDIGORE last night was a triumph of
teamwork - a massive undertaking in which nearly all the senior
boys and girls took part.
Under the guidance of various masters and with only one staff
member taking part in the actual production, it was essentially
a pupils' effort.
And how well they presented it! "Ruddigore" is not one of the
most popular nor one of the easiest of the Gilbert and Sullivan
comic operas to stage but under the direction of Mr. David
Spence, who has played leading roles in Northampton Gilbert and
Sullivan Group's productions' aided by a considerable amount of
talent Trinity School surely stored a hit.
With so many good individual performances it is perhaps
invidious to single out any one principal but I am sure the rest
of the cast will excuse me if I do this.
As Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd Kevin Gibson was quite outstanding.
His gestures, expressions and intonations were of an acting
maturity that belied his years, He looked good, sang pleasingly
and his words came clearly over the footlights.
Ian Henderson as Richard Dauntless, a mariner, brought a breath
of the sea, every time he came on stage. A bright and breezy,
jaunty sailor this whose hornpipe dance brought loud applause
from the audience. Melanie Wain was as pretty a Rose Maybud as
so she describes herself in the dialogue. Her duet "I know a
man" with Sir Ruthven was one of the many highlights of the
production.
Although, perhaps, beginning a
little nervously Jane New soon overcame this to become a
convincingly Mad Margaret.
In the second act, as a reformed character, she came into her
own and the duet which she sang with Sir Despard Murgatroyd
brought the encore it, deserved.
The only adult in the cast,
teacher Mr. Garrod Grimshaw, as Sir Despard gave a professional
performance. It was a pleasure to listen to his rich baritone
voice.
|
Paul Clarke (Old Adam
Goodheart) and Susan Lane (Dame Hannah) matched the other
principals.
Roland Law (Sir Roderic
Murgatroyd), Melodi Carter (Zora) and Anne Holden (Ruth)
completed the cast.
The second act scene of the picture gallery in Ruddigore Castle
with the life- size portraits of the baronial ancestors (painted
by masters and boys) was most impressive. The lighting effects,
as the portraits came to life, made a dramatic scene.
The colourful costumes and a competent orchestra set the seal on
the production.
Just one criticism: Could we have some smiling bridesmaids and
villagers -especially the latter?
The musical director was Mr. D. Baker, music teacher at the
school.
The Mayor and Mayoress of Northampton (Alderman Ken Pearson and
Mrs. Pearson) attended last night's performance.
"Ruddigore" is being performed again tonight, Friday and
Saturday.
Chorus of gentry and ancestors: Timothy Addington, David Bunker,
Alan Brichta, Gregory Herbert, Timothy Ribbans, Andrew Thornton,
Geoffrey Benstead, Martin Burgess, Eugene Brooks, Kenneth Moore,
Keith Rich, Geoffrey Turner, Graham Bignell, Paul Burman, Keith
Eaton, Simon Nurser, Stephen Roe, Graham Ward.
Chorus of professional bridesmaids and villagers: Jonhstone,
Karen Saunderson, Carter, Christine Cleet, Janet Johnstone,
Karen Saunderson, Caroline Wallis, Patricia Baker, Denise
Botterill, Susan Cleet, Lesley Jones, Wendy Shaw, Lesley White,
Gwyneth Williams, Julie Blake, Margaret Cornforth, Wendy
Fitzhugh, Elizabeth Peters, Rosanna Verstraeten, Susan White.
The orchestra (mostly composed of Trinity pupils) was: Geoff
Smith (leader), Marcus Valentine, Naomi Alien, Anita Frear,
Sarah Stevenson, Jane Allen, Julia Heard, Neville Lucas, Pauline
Heard, G Fountain, Robert Scott, Peter Davis, Glenn March,
Graham Tear, Charles Manning, Michael Clifton, Andrew Sandham.
Jenny Carter. Bob Jackson, Simon Roberts and Tom Peck.
|
