Princess Ida

newLOG Summer sell out!

Review of Princess Ida in the Grimsby Telegraph
Monday, 21st June 2010

In spite of the passing years, a comic operetta from the Victorian age proved that it retains the capacity to entertain a 21st century audience.

The New London Opera Group has returned to Louth’s Riverhead Theatre for its annual summer visit, with an impressive production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Princess Ida. Director Chris Cann has assembled a cast of more than thirty plus a 9-piece orchestra to present this satire of Victorian society’s fascination with women’s education.

Set during medieval times, the story concerns the childhood betrothal of Princess Ida to Prince Hilarion but, in the absence of any contact, they grow up as strangers. Ida becomes an early advocate of women’s lib, rejects men and founds a university for women but Hilarion, aided by two friends, embarks upon a mission to woo his betrothed.

Philip Errington plays Ida’s father King Gama, in the manner of Richard the Third, and in pricking at pomposity – a hallmark of G&S - he delivers his lines with great relish. Humour peppers this operetta, such as the king’s three sons (Benjamin Gray, Graeme Barton and Tony Bannister) who resembled a trio of Don Quixote’s With a touch of Elvis pelvic thrusts.

Hilarion (Robert Felstead) and his two cohorts Cyril (Noah Mosley) and Florian (Seb Junemann) proved an entertaining trio, precisely capturing the nuances of their lines. Charlotte Collier wonderfully played the haughtiness of The Lady Blanche whilst Yvette Litchfield, as Ida, displayed both comic turn and a fine soprano voice.

The ladies chorus excelled in bringing the lyrical aspects of the operetta to life and the diction of the entire cast ensured we were able to fully savour every twist of the libretto.

And it is undoubtedly the only time that Eve and Ranshaw will ever feature in this libretto!