Princess Ida 2010 NODA Report
OUNDLE GILBERT AND SULLIVAN PLAYERS : PRINCESS IDA
Producer : Gill Potts
Musical Director : Kate Wishart
Performed at the Queen Victoria Hall, Oundle on 27th February, 2010.
This is one of my favourite G & S operettas and to get an opportunity of seeing it in a neighbouring region was especially enjoyable. The production was a traditional one with a significant emphasis on good chorus work and it was an appropriate choice for the Society’s first performance in the splendidly refurbished Queen Victoria Hall. Supported by attractive scenery and costumes, and some convincing props, the overall impression was very good and the large chorus moved quietly yet dramatically in order to achieve the maximum effect. The complex Act 2 Finale was particularly well done and reflected great credit on the whole company. There were some excellent individual performances including a fierce King Hildebrand from Stephen Oliver and some cleverly managed comedy from Chris Jackson, Chris Knight and Ian Potts as the three heroes. They were well matched by the impressive, moustachioed sons of King Gama, played with commendable gravity by Dave Raftery, Bernie McDonnell and Barry Jackson. Keith Moore, as King Gama himself, had a strong voice and a keen sense of timing which helped to make this a memorable interpretation. The ladies were all well cast with charming performances from both Venetia Anderson and Alex Steel as Lady Psyche and Melissa respectively. Marilyn Oliver made a magnificent Lady Blanche and it was pleasing to note that ‘Come mighty must’, often cut out, had been retained within the score. Marilyn’s competent delivery of all her numbers made this addition a particular pleasure. However, all productions of ‘Princess Ida’ tend to depend largely upon the successful casting of the eponymous lead and, in this respect, the Society was very lucky to be able to call on the services of Marian Porter who both sang and acted to perfection. A delightful performance of some depth and, altogether, a very competent production of this classic operetta.
