What NODA thought …
Mike Pendlowski, District Representative for District SC7 (Fife) and membership secretary for Scotland, attended our Thursday première and reported on behalf of NODA:
The Jury’s Out is a new piece, re-imagined, adapted and extended, using Sullivan’s music and libretti taken from the pen of WS Gilbert – adapted where necessary, and arranged and directed by Linda D Milne, the creator of tonight’s show. Act One tells the story of Richard and Sally, through a typically Gilbertian convoluted plot, outlining the events that led up to the trial in the well-known and loved Trial By Jury.
The Overture (compiled from Sullivan’s music by Willie Campbell) offered the chance to see a synoptic time-line of the events leading up to the first act.
Set, variously, in a village, on board MV Pinafore, and in a woodland glade, arias and choral numbers from the G&S canon are appropriately inserted into the story by a strong cast of principals assisted by a chorus singing with the gusto we expect from DGASS, and costumed as characters from a variety of the operas.
Sally – the Trial By Jury Plaintiff sung by Jennifer Murray-Smith – worked extremely well with Theodore Rankine-Fourdraine’s Richard Cor – better known to us as the Defendant from the same opera. Jennifer and Theo’s voices, as always, allow the lyrics to be enjoyed by all in a crystal clear manner. Angela was sweetly sung by Sinead Beveridge, whilst Sir Marmaduke was given the Robin Ożóg treatment that regular attendees of Gilbert & Sullivan in Fife will know and love. Robin’s Judge in Trial By Jury never fails to impress each and every time I see it! Henry, Richard’s sidekick in Act One, later to be his Defence Council in Act Two, was given a characterful performance by Kenneth Maciver – the first but hopefully not the last time we see him within the ranks of DGASS. Mike Enright filled the part of Dr Daly (and all things clergy related!) with his extremely effective acting ability, hopefully not to be typecast in the future for all ministerial roles. In Act One, Martin Tarr gave a rounded and full-flavoured take on the part of Adam, and, together with his assistant Cyril (Andrew Murray) formed a very believable duo. Andrew’s acting and especially his facial expressions added immensely to the character. These last two gentlemen morphed happily in to the roles of Usher and trainee Usher in Act Two. However, just when we thought Act One was about to come down, we were treated to a guest appearance by Frances McCafferty – the Society’s Honorary president – in the role of the “other woman”, in this incarnation, Katisha. Frances’ voice and stage presence forming a formidable conclusion to the first act!
Act Two set in a Court of Justice opens with a cameo appearance by Linda Milne as the Court Cleaner before the Courtroom is taken over by our Act One characters brought together in, essentially, a performance of Trial By Jury, but one with a difference, with three appropriate songs imported from some of the other operas. We find all the villagers from the first act reappearing as Members of the Jury and fellow citizens in the public gallery. It won’t come as a surprise to anyone that all works out happily ever after in the end. Technical aspects of the production were in the safe hands of John Allen, whilst direction by Linda Milne and Musical Direction by Eddie MacLennan ensured that tonight’s World Premiere performance reached the high standard which we all enjoyed.
