The Yeomen of the Guard

With full orchestra, talented soloists and chorus, new sets and authentic costumes recently imported from the UK, this is a dramatic tale of romance and bravery: a new production of this G&S Masterpiece from Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Victoria, “Australia’s foremost exponent of light opera” (The Age).

Hero Colonel Fairfax is to be beheaded on a trumped-up charge. However, he is saved by the bravery of the Meryll family, aided by the strolling players, Elsie Maynard and Jack Point, perhaps Gilbert’s finest character. And, before the happy resolution, there are the complications of five romantic entanglements to enjoy.

Gilbert and Sullivan both thought this their best work and the closest they came to grand opera. Gilbert supplied Sullivan with what he longed for: a libretto of real and bitter-sweet human emotions with an intriguing and serious plot. Sullivan wrote ravishing music, resulting in, arguably, the most performed opera written in English.

“Audiences will enjoy the full gamut of emotions – from comic to tragic – in a complex portrayal of human relationships at the heart of the opera,” says Director Ron Pidcock OAM.

The Yeomen of the Guard

Alexander Theatre, Clayton.

6-7 October 2022 at 8pm; 8 October 2022 at 2pm & 8pm.

Bookings gsov.org.au.

Production Team

Director: Ron Pidcock OAM
Musical Director: Trevor Henley
Lighting Design: Jason Bovaird

Cast:
Renée Mohring as Elsie Maynard
Erin Absalom as Phoebe Meryll
Susan Coull as Dame Carruthers
Emma Sutcliffe as Kate
Daniel Felton as Jack Point
Andrew McGrail as Wilfred Shadbolt
Ian Woolford as Sgt Meryll
Brett O’Meara as Colonel Fairfax
Ian Lowe as Sir Richard Cholmondeley.
Christopher Rothwell as Leonard Meryll
Ron Mack as 1st Yeoman
Sam Hargreaves as 2nd Yeoman

Ensemble:
Tim Angelico, Andrew Bell, Stephen Capon, Larry Dalton, Ben Klein, Ken Knight, Graeme Lock, Chris McInnis, Bruce Packard, Jamie Tampion.
Sarah Amos, Elizabeth Anthony, Rebekah Bennetts, Sarah Berry, Annett Engelhardt, Bridgette Kelsey, Susan Marshall, Christine Millward, Robyn Pidcock, Carol Soloff, Linda Wood.
Photographer: Robin Halls