Come, walk up and purchase with avidity!

Once more inspired by perusing other blogs, it occurs to me that I would like to actively promote NUGSS performance of Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Grand Duke" - come one come all!

Here is me actively promoting the show in my office at work:



The Grand Duke is one of the least popular Gilbert and Sullivan Operas, though to be quite honest after prolonged exposure to it through rehearsals for the last six months, I don't quite know why it should be so! It is true that many of the tunes lack the memorable punch of shows like Pirates or Pinafore, but they also contain some of the more enjoyable harmonies (and most difficult alto lines)in the whole cannon - not to mention two great dance numbers. It seems Gilbert was experiencing a satirical peak with the sheer amount of industries and themes he takes on within the plot, and the marriage of character to music is incredibly aptly executed. There is a good amount for the chorus to enjoy, and some of the lead female characters challenge the usual boundaries of their set (ie. Lisa, Julia, The Baroness)to an extent which proves a refreshing change for the actresses involved.

This particular production benefits from the entire cast being made up of students; Gilbert and Sullivan can too often suffer from a largely aging cast - here, as in many University productions - from the sublime to the ridiculous, the oldest member of the cast of The Grand Duke is merely 25. Though this has its inconveniences (in lines which highlight the elderly state of certain characters) it makes for an energetic and enthusiastic cast, perfect for tackling the unfamiliar, and great for persuading the audience that one does not necessarily need to know the music to enjoy the show.

The best way of getting to know the Grand Duke is to see a production; come along this week (Thursday 24th, Friday 25th and Saturday 26th February) to the Royal Grammar School Performance Centre in Jesmond, Newcastle and support the youth of the UK Gilbert and Sullivan scene!