The Grand Duke, Astwood Bank Operatic Society
St Matthias & St George Church, Astwood Bank
TAKE a neglected Gilbert and Sullivan hit, strip it down, add two outstanding leads, sprinkle a bit of ABOS gold dust on it and hey presto, you’ve got a success on your hands!
Such were the ingredients on the opening night of The Grand Duke, performed by Astwood Bank Operatic Society to a fairly packed audience.
It wasn’t all plain sailing of course. There’s a reason why this G&S opera has languished and much of it has to do with the convoluted plot, which takes up all of the first act.
However, to their huge credit ABOS keep the pace high and manage to pull it off, thanks in no small part to the excellence of Rob Mead’s Ludwig.
Set in the fictional German town, of Pfennig Halbpfennig, blundering Ludwig, via three sausage rolls (yes, three sausage rolls) gives the conspiracy away to overthrow the hated Grand Duke and install theatre manager Ernest Dumkopf (Michael Ferris) in his place.
In the chaos that follows he sets in motion a train of events that see him successfully win two ‘statutory duels’ and engaged to four blushing brides.
How will it all end? Will Ludwig get the girl he really loves? Well you’re going to have to go and see it to find out.
And there are some outstanding performances to enjoy – as well as Rob Mead, Jo Hargreaves’s Julia Jellicoe is superb, and between them they keep the show rolling along nicely.
Rudolph the Grand Duke is allegedly a tyrant but Mark Tooby plays him as a lovely old sweetie and his ‘hands on’ courting scene with Jean Chalks Baroness Von Krakenfeldt is a hoot.
Michael Treagust’s Herald is hilarious while Mijchael Hawkins’s is a wonderfully deadpan narrator.
Throughout, the chorus are magnificent.
First night nerves aside, with toga parties, weddings, and some great songs, The Grand Duke is a hugely enjoyable show and director Steve Skinner is to be congratulated on reviving it for the stage.
Plaudits too to music director Mike Dhonau and pianist David Arthur who made the evening go with a swing.
The Grand Duke is on tonight, Friday and Saturday at 7.30pm with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.
Tickets are £12 (£10 concession) from Jean Chalk on 01527 63319 / Email: [email protected]
Ross Crawford
