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NORTHAMPTON
Trinity Grammar School's production of RUDDIGORE last night was a
triumph of teamwork - a massive undertaking in which nearly all the
senior boys and girls took part.
Under the guidance of various masters and with only one staff member
taking part in the actual production, it was essentially a pupils'
effort.
And how well they presented it! "Ruddigore" is not one of the
most popular nor one of the easiest of the Gilbert and Sullivan comic
operas to stage but under the direction of Mr. David Spence, who has
played leading roles in Northampton Gilbert and Sullivan Group's
productions' aided by a considerable amount of talent Trinity School
surely stored a hit.
With so many good individual performances it is perhaps invidious to
single out any one principal but I am sure the rest of the cast will
excuse me if I do this.
As Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd Kevin Gibson was quite outstanding.
His gestures, expressions and intonations were of an acting maturity
that belied his years, He looked good, sang pleasingly and his words
came clearly over the footlights.
Ian Henderson as Richard Dauntless, a mariner, brought a breath of the
sea, every time he came on stage. A bright and breezy, jaunty sailor
this whose hornpipe dance brought loud applause from the audience.
Melanie Wain was as pretty a Rose Maybud as so she describes herself in
the dialogue. Her duet "I know a man" with Sir Ruthven was one
of the many highlights of the production.
Although,
perhaps, beginning a little nervously Jane New soon overcame this to
become a convincingly Mad Margaret.
In the second act, as a reformed character, she came into her own and
the duet which she sang with Sir Despard Murgatroyd brought the encore
it, deserved.
The
only adult in the cast, teacher Mr. Garrod Grimshaw, as Sir Despard gave
a professional performance. It was a pleasure to listen to his rich
baritone voice. |
Paul
Clarke (Old Adam Goodheart) and Susan Lane (Dame Hannah) matched the
other principals.
Roland
Law (Sir Roderic Murgatroyd), Melodi Carter (Zora) and Anne Holden
(Ruth) completed the cast.
The second act scene of the picture gallery in Ruddigore Castle with the
life- size portraits of the baronial ancestors (painted by masters and
boys) was most impressive. The lighting effects, as the portraits came
to life, made a dramatic scene.
The colourful costumes and a competent orchestra set the seal on the
production.
Just one criticism: Could we have some smiling bridesmaids and villagers
-especially the latter?
The musical director was Mr. D. Baker, music teacher at the school.
The Mayor and Mayoress of Northampton (Alderman Ken Pearson and Mrs.
Pearson) attended last night's performance.
"Ruddigore" is being performed again tonight, Friday and
Saturday.
Chorus of gentry and ancestors: Timothy Addington, David Bunker, Alan
Brichta, Gregory Herbert, Timothy Ribbans, Andrew Thornton, Geoffrey
Benstead, Martin Burgess, Eugene Brooks, Kenneth Moore, Keith Rich,
Geoffrey Turner, Graham Bignell, Paul Burman, Keith Eaton, Simon Nurser,
Stephen Roe, Graham Ward.
Chorus of professional bridesmaids and villagers: Jonhstone, Karen
Saunderson, Carter, Christine Cleet, Janet Johnstone, Karen Saunderson,
Caroline Wallis, Patricia Baker, Denise Botterill, Susan Cleet, Lesley
Jones, Wendy Shaw, Lesley White, Gwyneth Williams, Julie Blake, Margaret
Cornforth, Wendy Fitzhugh, Elizabeth Peters, Rosanna Verstraeten, Susan
White.
The orchestra (mostly composed of Trinity pupils) was: Geoff Smith
(leader), Marcus Valentine, Naomi Alien, Anita Frear, Sarah Stevenson,
Jane Allen, Julia Heard, Neville Lucas, Pauline Heard, G Fountain,
Robert Scott, Peter Davis, Glenn March, Graham Tear, Charles Manning,
Michael Clifton, Andrew Sandham. Jenny Carter. Bob Jackson, Simon
Roberts and Tom Peck.
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