NODA Report
MD: Ken Mathews Directors: Jennifer Moss & Richard Straw
It was a pleasure to attend St Andrew’s Operatic Society production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s “Patience” on Wednesday evening, a G&S production which which satirised the aesthetic movement in general and its colourful poets in particular, combining aspects of A. C. Swinburne, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Oscar Wilde, James McNeill Whistler and others in the rival poets Bunthorne and Grosvenor. The work also lampoons male vanity and chauvinism in the military.
The story concerns two rival aesthetic poets, who attract the attention of the young ladies of the village, formerly engaged to the members of a cavalry regiment. But both poets are in love with Patience, the village milkmaid, who detests one of them and feels that it is her duty to avoid the other despite her love for him. The staging was as per the 1979 revival of the original 1881 production using the 1960/1970s fad of flower power and the hippy movement which St Andrews adopted.
The staging as such was extremely well hand painted, in bright neon with a hand painted campervan giving the audience a wonderful colourful start to their evening. Such colour to greet you following the tulips and flower murals in the hallway which really brightened up the entrance.
What a delight in a 16 piece orchestra also! Under the incredible control of Ken Matthews, they truly were a wonder. Beautifully measured, never overpowering and the cast sung only with standing microphones yet not once were they over shadowed by that orchestra. Truly a delight to listen to, it really does make a difference. Although a huge cost to groups these days, there really is something about an orchestra which makes a production stand out. It was also nice to hear the National Anthem at the commencement of a performance again. Well done Ken, utterly superb.
Directors Richard Shaw and Jen Moss ought to be very proud of themselves as the presentation was excellent. This is the first musical of St Andrews which I have attended, as we all recover from the pandemic. Their concerts have been wonderful with strong vocal performances and the musical was no different. Some wonderful singers, hilarious acting through song bringing out the comedy of the piece and again wonderful control of the vocals from musical director Ken Matthews.
I very much enjoyed all of the performers on stage although I must mention the beautifully singing voices and acting of Jennie Blackburn in the titular role of Patience, Phil Hall as Bunthorne, the beat poet, Edward Bradshaw as Grosvenor the hippy poet and rival to Bunthorne. I also understand it was Edward’s first full musical – well done Edward and I hope we see a lot more of you. They were supported wonderfully by a large ensemble with solo performances notably from Bernie Trotter, Glynda Blackburn, Kim Storey and Jen Bradshaw as some of the Maidens of the Bunthorne Community, and also Richard Straw, Michael Beck and Gavin Jarvis as the Officers of the 35th Dragood Guards. Their number, “Let the Merry cymbals sound” was notably excellent and the male trio of Richard, Michael and Gavin’s number “It’s clear the medieval art” brought the house down and stole the show – well done gentlemen!
A lovely night’s entertainment with lots of humour and a love triangle like no other. Well done!
It was such a shame the night I attended that the audience attendance was small. This is a group who truly deserve more people to hear them.
Helen Abraham