New to Gilbert & Sullivan? If you’ve never encountered them before, we promise you’re in for a treat with laugh-out-loud lyrics, catchy tunes and compelling characters to keep you captivated from start to finish.
This season, we’re bringing their comic opera Ruddigore to the stage. The perfect introduction to the pair’s tongue-twisting lyrics and crazy plots, this acclaimed production is virtually guaranteed to turn you into a diehard G&S fan right from the off! As revival director James Hurley says: “I love their music and humour – Gilbert and Sullivan were definitely my gateway into discovering opera.”
Grant Doyle as Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd with the ghosts of Ruddigore, 2010 © Robert Workman
Burdened with a centuries-old curse which requires him to commit a crime a day or die in agony, Sir Despard Murgatroyd is over the moon to discover a long-lost older brother, Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd, the rightful inheritor of this daily task. The only problem is that Sir Ruthven, who has been peacefully living under the assumed name Robin Oakapple, is rubbish at wrong-doing which means he’s highly unlikely to impress those hard-to-please ancestors …
For James, Ruddigore is the perfect parody of Victorian melodrama: “As well as being very funny and full of good tunes, the opera also has plenty of theatrical spectacle, including a grand portrait gallery whose pictures come to life!” Conductor Anthony Kraus is a big fan of the ‘good tunes’ too, encouraging people to look out in particular for “When the night wind howls” sung by one of those ghostly ancestors, Sir Roderic Murgatroyd, in Act 2: “This is a real musical highlight, where the ghost of Sir Roderic (alongside several other ghosts of the Murgatroyd dynasty) delights in relating how much they enjoy coming to life, and that they are not in any way sombre spirits. The orchestra joins in with high pitched shrieks, rumbling woodwinds, and even a ‘midnight bell’.”
Grant Doyle as Robin Oakapple and Amy Freston as Rose Maybud, 2010 © Robert Workman
If that all sounds a bit too spooky, rest assured love – whether requited or not – is in the air too. A more heartfelt moment which Anthony picks out as a favourite is Hannah’s Song in Act 2: “This is a beautifully touching little song, in which Dame Hannah, reunited with a long-lost love, sings of a flower and an oak tree, an allegorical story reflecting the events of their past. It’s a wonderfully simple and touching song, full of sad regret and opportunities missed.”
Talking of love, Amy Freston who sings Rose Maybud, the main love interest in the opera, says of the show: “It’s one of the most beautiful and classy productions I have ever been in – like an old sepia photograph from the 1920s. The production even opens with a silent movie which fills in the opera’s ghostly backstory.”
Hal Cazalet as Richard Dauntless [centre] with sailors and the professional bridesmaids, 2010 © Robert Workman
It all adds up to an evening of hilarity, dancing and catchy songs. “This opera is full of brilliantly dynamic and eccentric characters and wonderfully clever theatrical devices, the combination of which make for a truly magical night at the theatre,” continues Amy. “It’s full of joy, laughter and silliness – the perfect escape from the rigours of everyday life. I really think it is one of the best productions I’ve ever been in, and I would urge anyone to come and see it. It’s an exceptional production, and, above all, fun!”
Anyone who has never been to the opera can Try it ON with two tickets in the stalls available for £20 each, while full-time students and under 30s can take advantage of £10 tickets. There’s also a special relaxed performance at Leeds Grand Theatre on Wednesday 30 October for people living with dementia or who may find a traditional theatre setting tricky to negotiate, enabling as many people as possible to join in the fun.
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