International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival, Buxton

2:54pm Wednesday 27th August 2008

The curtain came down last weekend on the 15th International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival, in Buxton, Derbyshire. As always, this was three weeks of pure G&S indulgence, with professional shows, amateur shows, masterclasses and concerts.

Highlights were productions by the festival's G&S Opera Company, which this year included The Gondoliers and Iolanthe, both directed by ex-D'Oyly Carte choreographer Alan Spencer. The former was the second revival of Spencer's witty and sparkling production first unveiled at the festival in 2000, and possibly one of his finest creations. Gorgeous costumes and sets, together with exciting and well-executed choreography, made this a stunning visual feast. In Act II, a superb Cachuca, complete with well-timed foot-stamping and hand-clapping, was cheered so vociferously that an encore was given - the only production in which I can recall this happening. An exceptionally strong cast kept things swinging along nicely. Oliver White and James Cleverton, as Marco and Guiseppe, were ideal stage heroes, and they worked well together. Jeni Bern and Victoria Byron gave spirited performances as their two wives, while Victoria Joyce and Daniel Hoadley were appealing as Casilda and Luiz. Festival stalwart Richard Suart wrung every ounce of humour from the Duke of Plaza Toro, and he was well-matched by Jill Pert as a formidable Duchess.

In contrast, Iolanthe was, sadly, something of a damp squib. Spencer's obvious attempts to be inventive resulted in a rather disjointed show, marred by over-fussy stage business, some clumsy scene changes, and a lack of polish. The fairies, unappealingly clad in fishnet tights, short skirts and skimpy tops, appeared to be sex-starved sirens, with very little of the daintiness Gilbert intended. The peers, at least, were allowed the traditional flowing robes, and their magnificent first entry staged with suitable pomp and splendour, was one of the few high spots of the evening.

Much of the dialogue throughout was lacklustre and uninspired, with many of the funniest lines so understated that the humour was lost entirely. Weak casting didn't help. Festival veterans Donald Maxwell and Barry Clark were well below their best as Mountararat and Tolloller - parts which, surely, should be played by much younger men; James Cleverton and Victoria Joyce sang well but were unexciting as Strephon and Phyllis, while even Victoria Byron, who rarely disappoints, seemed ill-at-ease in the title role. Only Simon Butteriss as the Lord Chancellor, and Gareth Jones as Private Willis, gave fully convincing performances.

Both productions benefited from the bright, brisk conducting of John Owen Edwards, who ensured a high musical standard throughout.

DVDs of these and other festival productions are available to buy; visit www.gs-festival.co.uk for details.

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