THE SHOW.
In 2013, Yeomen of the Guard (or The Merryman and His Maid), a musical from the famous duo Gilbert & Sullivan, is coming to the Hunter Region.
With featured performers Joanna Andrew, James Bonnefin, Tayla Choice, Emma Elsley, Georgina Hall, Anthea Harrington, Geoff Hicks, Russell Spencer, Alex Townsend, Matt Waugh.
The opera is set in the Tower of London, during the 16th century, and is the darkest, and perhaps most emotionally engaging, of the Savoy Operas. The libretto does contain considerable humour, including a lot of pun-laden one-liners, but Gilbert’s trademark satire and topsy-turvy plot complications are subdued in comparison with the other Gilbert and Sullivan operas. The dialogue, though in prose, is quasi-Shakespearian, or early modern English, in style.Critics considered the score to be Sullivan’s finest, including its overture, which is in sonata form, rather than being written as a sequential pot-pourri of tunes from the opera, as in most of the other Gilbert and Sullivan overtures. This was the first Savoy Opera to use Sullivan’s larger orchestra, including a second bassoon and third trombone. Most of Sullivan’s subsequent operas, including those not composed with Gilbert as librettist, use this larger orchestra.(Copied from Wikipedia)
The collaboration of music directior of Susan Hart, director Michael Blaxland and conductor Christopher Bearman brilliantly guide the performers, the Opera Hunter chorus and The Lake Macquarie Philharmonic Orchestra to bring this show to life.
Take a look at the poster – The Yeomen of the Guard Poster
The opera is set in the Tower of London, during the 16th century, and is the darkest, and perhaps most emotionally engaging, of the Savoy Operas. The libretto does contain considerable humour, including a lot of pun-laden one-liners, but Gilbert’s trademark satire and topsy-turvy plot complications are subdued in comparison with the other Gilbert and Sullivan operas. The dialogue, though in prose, is quasi-Shakespearian, or early modern English, in style.
Critics considered the score to be Sullivan’s finest, including its overture, which is in sonata form, rather than being written as a sequential pot-pourri of tunes from the opera, as in most of the other Gilbert and Sullivan overtures. This was the first Savoy Opera to use Sullivan’s larger orchestra, including a second bassoon and third trombone. Most of Sullivan’s subsequent operas, including those not composed with Gilbert as librettist, use this larger orchestra.
(Reference to Wikipedia Article)
SYNOPSIS.
Colonel Fairfax has been accused of sorcery and sent to the Tower. Sergeant Merryll lives in the Tower with his daughter, Phoebe, and also evades amorous advances from Dame Carruthers. Merryll plans to save Fairfax from losing his head.
Sergeant Meryll’s son, Leonard is to arrive that day to become a Yeoman. He hatches a plan that Leonard will hide away and Fairfax will take his place. Phoebe is to take the cell keys from the lovesick jailer, Wilfred. So the plot begins.Jack Point, a jester, and Elsie Maynard a young singer, together sing a song of a lovelorn merryman who is jilted by a maiden in favour of an arrogant lord.So Fairfax is dressed up in a red Yeoman suit, ready to join the ranks as Leonard Meryll.Chaos abounds but you will need to come to Lake Macquarie to see how this Opera ends!
Sergeant Meryll’s son, Leonard is to arrive that day to become a Yeoman. He hatches a plan that Leonard will hide away and Fairfax will take his place. Phoebe is to take the cell keys from the lovesick jailer, Wilfred. So the plot begins.
Jack Point, a jester, and Elsie Maynard a young singer, together sing a song of a lovelorn merryman who is jilted by a maiden in favour of an arrogant lord.
So Fairfax is dressed up in a red Yeoman suit, ready to join the ranks as Leonard Meryll.
Chaos abounds but you will need to come to Lake Macquarie to see how this Opera ends!
PRODUCED – 2013
PRODUCTION TEAM.
Director – Michael Blaxland
Music Director – Susan Hart
Conductor – Christopher Bearman