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 MARTON
OPERATIC SOCIETY
Gilbert and Sullivan's "Iolanthe"
(By
our Music Critic)
The Marton Parish Church
Choral and Operatic Society made their initial adventure into Gilbert
and Sullivan opera in the Parochial Hall, Marton, last night, before
a large attendance.
Their happy choice was "Iolanthe,"
the jubilee of whose production at the Savoy Theatre on November
22nd, 1882, was celebrated last Friday night.
Produced
in the traditional Savoy opera fashion by Mr. Sidney King, of St.
Annes, late a member of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Co., it may at once
be said that the Marton folk, with a zeal and earnestness to which
we are now accustomed, made a tremendous success of their job.
The dainty absurdity of this well-known opera, wedded,
as it is, to some of Sullivan's most characteristic music, was vividly
realised by a company of 40.
From the first entry
of the Fairies to the concluding joyous chorus of the entire corps
dramatique (with wings and all!) there was not a dull moment,
and it is certain that many members of the audience will be there
each of the four nights the opera is played - Saturday sees the
finale.
There is a really fine Lord Chancellor in
Mr. A. Howarth, a charming Iolanthe who sings well (Miss R. Hill),
a sparkling Queen of the Fairies in Miss R. Cookson, a capable Private
Willis in Mr. F. Wade, a graceful Shepherdess (Phyllis) in Miss
E. Whiteley, with Mr. E. Rimmer a personable Strephon, and the Misses
M. Evered, M. Richardson, C. Walsh, and Messrs W. L. Andrew and
F. Smith good in minor roles.
Add to this the presence
of a fine and picturesque company of members of the House of Lords,
a bevy of charming Fairies, lovely scenic effects, a good orchestra,
and an alert conductor in Mr. Walter Hogarth, and you have all the
ingredients for success.
An extended report will
appear in Saturday's "Gazette & Herald."
MUSICA.
[No doubt it did
appear, but we don't have it in our collection unfortunately.]
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