ED2012 3/5 Reviews ED2012 Theatre Reviews

Gilbert And Sullivan In Brief(s) (Ingenious Paradox / Nick Brooke Productions / Pleasance Theatre Trust)

By | Published on Saturday 18 August 2012

This show combines comedy, theatre and opera as a charismatic foursome attempt to condense the 14 operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan into 70 minutes, or before they bite each other’s heads off. There’s a lot going on here with frivolous props and baffling storylines, and I eventually found myself absent-mindedly enjoying the singing without really paying attention to the abridged plots. When the foursome are not singing, the show is more overtly comic, with witty asides and comedic fall-outs about who should play which role. The slapstick acting occasionally seems forced but the heavenly singing and scintillating musical compositions redeem it. The opera in this show is worth your time, but its combination with garish stage-play makes it hard to keep up with.

Pleasance Courtyard, 2-27 Aug (not 13, 21), 4.30pm
tw rating 3/5 | [Nathaniel Meyers]



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