The Yeomen of the Guard
Libretto by W.S.GILBERT
Music by ARTHUR SULLIVAN
Gilbert and Sullivan both thought this their best work. Gilbert supplied Sullivan with what he longed for: a libretto of real and bitter-sweet human emotions. Set in the time of Henry VIII, the hero Colonel Fairfax is to be beheaded, on a trumped up charge of witchcraft. However, he is saved by the bravery of the Meryll family, aided by the strolling players, Elsie Maynard and Jack Point. Jack Point is perhaps Gilbert’s finest character.
The closest Gilbert and Sullivan came to write a grand opera, this is arguably the most performed opera written in English. Sullivan wrote ravishing music, supplied to Gilbert’s intriguing and serious plot. With new sets and new costumes, recently imported from the UK, this will be a sumptuous musical and dramatic event, and one of the highlights of Melbourne’s opera year.
Starring:
RENEE WHITE as Elsie Maynard
ERIN ABSALOM as Phoebe Meryll
SUE COULL as Dame Carruthers
EMMA SUTCLIFFE as Kate
MITCHELL GROVES as Jack Point
ANDREW MCGRAIL as Wilfred Shadbolt
IAN WOOLFORD as Sgt Meryll
BRETT O’MEARA as Colonel Fairfax
PHIL ELPHINSTONE as Lieutenant
CHRISTOPHER ROTHWELL as Leonard Meryll
Director: RON PIDCOCK
Musical Director: TREVOR HENLEY
Lighting Design: JASON BOVAIRD