One of our friends is heavily into amateur dramatics and has recently joined the Rochdale Phoenix Opera Company. I was really pleased when, a few months ago, he told us that they were performing Gilbert and Sullivan's The Gondoliers in April.
Yesterday, we gathered at St Aidan's Church in Rochdale, a couple of friends and, amazingly, Chris as well! Chris had decided to come along to cheer on Tony!
The performance was really excellent. The Gondoliers is one of my favourite Gilbert and Sullivan operas. I love the humour and satire - The Duke of Plaza-Toro floating himself on the Stock Market; monarchy versus republicanism and the absurdity of monarchy and inherited rule.
Audiences at the time would recognise the jokes. Limited companies were booming in 19th century Britain, sometimes associated with speculation or impersonal management. Turning a kingdom into one suggests a world where even power and identity are commodified. Revolution was also in the air in 19th century Europe and America, so the idea of aristocratic hierarchy was very much under the microscope.
Phoenix Opera were fantastic and our friend gave an outstanding performance as Luis, the real heir to the throne of Barateria. The cast was all very good with some stand out performances from Casilda, the Duke and Duchess of Plaza-Toro; Guiseppe and Marco. The chorus was very good, too.
We all agreed that the show was very enjoyable, even Chris enjoyed himself (with reservations, of course!)
