LOCAL group, Mostly G&S (Gilbert and Sullivan), will perform a comic opera by the quirky musical duo who’s name they bear.
Directors Matt and Rachel Meyer have produced the show, which will be performed in concert version.
Katy Wallis, cast member says: “It’s very funny, it’s Gilbert at his best, taking the mickey out of the peers and the aristocracy of his time.
“Frankly, we are struggling to keep straight faces, and haven’t quite managed it yet.”
The story is filled with fairies, so naturally, there are wings.
“It’s definitely a colourful show,” continues Katy, “and there are a lot of butterfly wings in this production.
“And despite not being a huge cast, we do make a powerful noise.
“Everyone is off book, so it’s not your average concert version, more of a hybrid show that goes some way towards a full production.”
Iolanthe, with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W.S. Gilbert, was first performed in November 1882, and ran for 398 performances.
Mostly G&S was created in 2009 to bring together people who enjoyed singing operetta.
As the name suggests, they concentrate predominantly on the works of the Victorian maestros.
Iolanthe takes great delight in lambasting the politics and people of the time, in particular the institutions of the era.
The House of Lords is blasted as ineffective, housed by the over privileged and the dim-witted.
And the political party system and other institutions come in for a dose of satire too.
Yet Gilbert and Sullivan couch their criticism among bouncy, amiable absurdity, that is received as good fun, and as full of fairies as it is of politicians.
The story follows Strephon, a shepherd, who wants to marry Phyllis, as do half the House of Lords.
Phyllis does not know that Strephon is half fairy and when she sees him kissing a seemingly young woman, she assumes the worst.
But her rival turns out to be none other than his own mother, Iolanthe, a fairy.
And as everyone knows, fairies never grow old.
Meanwhile, the Lord Chancellor, and most of the peers, are sighing after Phyllis.
With tensions raised, soon humans and fairies are poised for war.
But, of course, all is happily sorted out in the end in true fairytale style.
“We’re very excited to be performing this funny show.
“It’s going to be brilliant,” adds Katy.
Iolanthe will be performed at The Oakwood Theatre, Woodley.
It can be seen on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, November 3, 4, and 5.
It starts at 7.30pm each night.
Tickets cost £13.
For tickets visit: www.ticketsource.co.uk
or telephone the Box Office on: 07514 423894.
For more information about Mostly Gilbert and Sullivan, visit: www.mostlygands.co.uk
