ХРЮ!

Having skipped a few OUGSS productions (the last one was simply booked out) we were determined not to miss this one!

And, as usual, it was not disappointing! Actually, I must confess that it was a bit dull in the beginning but as the show went on, it became more and more dynamic and the first act finished on quite a high note. I noticed that often in these productions the second act is worse than the first, but here it just became better and better culminating in a beautiful ending! I was very pleasantly surprised!

Unlike other G&S works, the plot here is quite tragic (or rather it constantly jumps between sad and joyful moments) and doesn't have a happy end (well, not for everyone anyway). As a result, while singing is, of course, a very important component of the play, some "proper" acting is also required. And for this we must thank David Jones for his excellent performance of Jack Point, the jester. Another person who made the play lively was Robert Hazle, who played Wilfred Shadbotl (Head Jailer & Assistant Tormentor). And, of course, Sergeant Merryll (Stephen Smith) fitting his role perfectly - his proposal to Dame Carruthers alone is enough to ensure your five pounds are well-spent.

The orchestra did a good job, and the singing part of the play was strong (as usual with OUGSS!). Zosia Kuczynska (Phoebe) was wonderful, as usual; another leading female part, Elsie, was performed beautifully by Alexandra Coghlan. Dame Carruthers (Katherine Fairhurst) was quite strong. So was Colonel Fairfax (Thomas Wade), but I must say that the latter character was not very well acted through. Many of his monologues (in particular, his proposal to Elsie) was recited in a rather monotone voice you couldn't detect any feelings in. A bit of acting (to make it at least vaguely believable) would not harm here.

I must also say that OFS is not really my favourite venue as the spaces between the chairs are tiny and you can become rather claustrofobic.  But overall I really enjoyed the performance and will be looking forward to the next term's one!

And here is a plot summary.