Reviews

"Trial By Jury" is the short half an hour curtain-raiser which tells of a trial for breach of promise of marriage in front of a slightly biased judge and jury.  This version has been set as a reality TV trial in a television studio.

Opening with a stage empty of performers, the solitary caretaker sweeps the floor and is gradually joined by the TV director, the floor manager and “studio audience” as well as judge, jury and solicitors. Anyone in the real audience who hadn't read their programme must have been completely baffled at this departure from the usual 19th Century setting.

The plaintive and defendant made their entrances via spotlights, dry ice and screaming fans. Oh yes - did I mention this trial was set in the 1970's in a world of kaftans, afros, mini-skirts and psychedelic colours?

Trial By Jury

For a theatrical society which has to work with a limited repertoire this was a brave attempt to present a familiar work in an exciting and daring new way. Did it work?  Well, the music and singing was, as always, of the usual high standard expected of the Ipswich Gilbert and Sullivan Society. The colourful costumes of the studio audience (aka women’s chorus) meant that the usual drab courtroom scene was a visual treat. But the setting did mean that I was distracted by questions such as “did we have Jerry Springer-style TV in the 1970’s?” and “where are the TV cameras?”

The highlights for me were the marvellous entrance and posturing of the Elvis-style defendant (played by Leigh Caple) and the usual slight rewording of the musical old favourites.  Did I catch a mention of the Beckhams, the euro and plastic?

HMS Pinafore

The second half of the evening was a more traditional staging of “HMS Pinafore”, the well known story of the attempts of the self-proclaimed "Ruler of the Queen's Navee" to woo Captain Corcoran's daughter.

With an opening of seagull sounds, this version was set in Southwold – a minor change to the lyrics and a backdrop of beach huts and lighthouse made that clear. A strong team of soloists, backed by an enthusiastic chorus of sailors in their blue and white sailors uniforms, and the Admirals “sisters, cousins and aunts” in splendid black and white Edwardian dresses and hats (think Ascot scene in “My Fair Lady”) made full use of the different decks and levels of HMS Pinafore.

HMS Pinafore

The Ipswich Gilbert and Sullivan Society must be congratulated on how they make a feature of rebuilding the Corn Exchange stage to suit their needs and offer a more visually interesting space. The loss of some audience capacity is well worth the challenge of building an angled stage that pushed the ships deck into the auditorium.

Soloists and chorus alike delighted the audience with the familiar songs such as “When I Was A Lad", "He Is An Englishman" and "Never Mind The Why & Wherefore"  but special mention must be given to the wonderful voices and clear diction of Natasha Ship (who played the Captain's daughter) and Louise Bentley (Little Buttercup). and to Jacob Yaxley (Tom Tucker).

Also to Jacob Yaxley (Tom Tucker) who, whether dancing the hornpipe or darting through the performers as he distributed flags, was a delightful distraction and he ended the evening alone, centre-stage, with a salute to the audience. 

The show runs at the Ipswich Corn Exchange until Saturday 18th November. Click on the Ipswich Arts & Ents link on the right for box office details>>