Music by ARTHUR SULLIVAN, JACQUES OFFENBACH
New Performing Version by ANTHONY BAKER, TIM HENTY
Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the first collaboration by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, GSOV presents Thespis or The Gods Grown Old as our last offering for the year. This is less a comic opera and more a joyous extravaganza. It was traditional for theatres to put on festive works over the Christmas season, and Gilbert and Sullivan were commissioned to provide one for the London's Gaiety Theatre for Christmas 1871.
Much of the music has been lost, but detailed research has allowed the work to be reconstructed. The setting is ancient Greece and the gods on Mount Olympus are tired and ageing. When a troupe of actors stumble onto them an agreement is reached that the gods and actors will swap places for a year. Of course chaos and much fun ensues.
Listen to the Director Diana Burleigh talk about Thespis, as interviewed on 3MBS FM on 5th November 2022.
Director: DIANA BURLEIGH
Musical Director: GEOFFREY URQUHART
Cast
| GODS | |
| Jupiter | Rick Burman OAM |
| Apollo | Ron Pidcock OAM |
| Mars | Robin Halls |
| Diana | Anna Castle |
| Mercury | Amelia Le Plastrier |
| Venus | Rachel Buckley |
| Caliope | Robyn Pidcock |
| MORTALS | |
| Thespis | James Douglas |
| Sillimon | Andrew McGrail |
| Timidon | Paul Tooby |
| Tipseion | Sam Hargreaves |
| Sparkeion | Philip Liberatore |
| Nicemis | Elena Griffiths |
| Pretteia | Bridgette Kelsey |
| Daphne | Naomi Tooby |
| Cymon | Jason Douglas |
Performances:
* Malvern Theatre
Thursday 17th November 2022, 8pmFriday 18th November 2022, 8pm
Saturday 19th November 2022, 2pm
Saturday 19th November 2022, 8pm
Sunday 20th November 2022, 2pm
29 Burke Road, East Malvern
* Dunolly Town Hall
Supported by Community Bank Maldon and District
Saturday 26th November 2022, 2pm
83 Broadway Dunolly
Tickets available at the door. Enquiries: 0490 465 009,
Review by Graham Ford:
Review in The Local Paper:
Stage Whispers review by Ruth Richter:
