Paul Stevens, as Alexis, and Olwen Keats, as Aline in The Sorcerer. Picture by Peter Boam.
STAGE REVIEW
A GILBERT and Sullivan operetta is very much like Marmite — you either love it or hate it — and I’ve never been a fan of either but I admired the way the Solent G and S Company had put their hearts and souls into a performance of The Sorcerer.
This was the first time I had ever watched this production and, although I really struggle to enjoy this form of entertainment, I was taken by the wholehearted efforts of the cast, backed by a superb orchestra.
I am sure there are still legions of Gilbert and Sullivan fans on the Island, having watched other works to large audiences, so it was surprising to be among a less than half-full Trinity Theatre, Cowes, on Thursday last week.
The frivolous plot, which centres around the effects of a love potion used to induce a whole village to marry, was comically borne out by the cast, working under the direction of Kath Whitwam.
Across the cast, the standard of singing was very hit and miss but there were some stand out
vocal highlights. Paul Stevens, a stalwart of the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, played newly betrothed grenadier guard Alexis. With his bride-to-be, Aline, alias Olwen Keates, they gave polished performances — especially in the scene when they fell out over whether she should take the love potion too.
Mike Whitwam, as travelling salesman and sorcerer John Wellington Wells, put in a good shift — making the most of what was probably the show’s most flamboyant role.
The dance sequences were pretty wooden. Had they been a lot more spirited, it would have added some zest to the show.
Reporter: jonm@iwcpmail.co.uk