Iolanthe

A 24-piece orchestra opened the operetta with an extended overture during which projections onto a screen illustrated the back story. With some clever black and white footage, we learnt that the fairy Iolanthe was banished from Fairydom for the crime of marrying a mortal, and her current abode was at the bottom of a stream.

The latest home for the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Sydney is the very British sounding hall called The Governors Centre, which is a relatively new facility shared by Sydney Boys and Girls High in Moore Park. With ample room for a large ensemble, and the subtle audio boosting of cast with microphones dropped from the ceiling, every syllable of Gilbert’s lyrics was clear.

Dropped into the orchestration were some lush excerpts of Beethoven. For me the biggest thrill from the pit came from the crisp tinkle of the triangle (It’s not often that the percussionist gets a mention).

Iolanthe is a satire of the British political elite and the recent antics of those who work in Westminster are every bit as deserving of derision as those who were around when the operetta was first staged 141 years ago.

The one bit of the work that is screaming for an update is the song which refers to Captain Shaw – who was an actual fire chief officer famous in the nineteenth century famous for putting out fires in London theatres. How about an ode to Oh Boris J……

The cast is comprised of an enthusiastic peer (House of Lords) chorus of mainly Anglo silver foxes alongside a pleasing diversity in the cast of fairies.

Tobias Page as Strephon had a standout baritone voice, with his “fairy down the waist” upper torso on ample exhibition.

Oscar Loofs as the Lord Chancellor gave a nice rendition of The Nightmare Song, whilst Chloe Obreza (Iolanthe) and Mackenzie Lawrence (Phyllis) each had moments to shine.

Belinda Delaney gave a spirited unique interpretation of the role of Private Wills.

After some preview performances in Goulburn and Wyong, Sydneysiders have the chance to see a traditional production of one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s sweetest operettas.

David Spicer

Photographer: Ron Bullions.