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Letting trumpets loudly bray Iolanthe
The Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company
Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton
**** YET another treat from this outstanding
company gave Gilbert & Sullivan fans a lively bonus with some sparkling
wit and crafty digs at the political system. It’s a crazy plot even by G&S standards as a
group of fairies get involved with pompous members of the House of
Lords, but the humour is infectious and the music and costumes a
delight. The story opens with the return of Iolanthe who
had been banished from fairyland for marrying a mortal, but
complications arise when her half-fairy son Strephon falls in love with
Phyllis, a ward of court to the Lord Chancellor. Simon Butteriss, who also directed the
production, gave a wonderful fun-packed performance as the Lord
Chancellor, ably supported by the veteran Bruce Graham (Earl of
Mountararat) and Oliver White (Earl Tolloller). Charlotte Pearson impressed as Iolanthe, Claire
Lees (Phyllis) sang beautifully and Simon Pontin sparkled as Strephon,
creating a problem or two after being entered into parliament. Sylvia Clarke excelled in the role of Queen of
the Fairies, while Miles Horner offered a more comic version of Private
Willis, though surely the Grenadier Guards sentry should always have a
rifle. The company end their Black Country visit with
The Mikado on Saturday. Paul Marston26-06-14
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