The Gondoliers

The 2011 production for the Society will be The Gondoliers, at the Octagon Theatre, UWA. Directed by Anthony Howes, with Musical Direction by Jon Tooby and Choreography by Peta Flanigan. The Gondoliers is a typical Gilbert & Sullivan “fun” operetta with beautiful maidens, lusty gondoliers, an anti-hero Duke, a villainous Grand Inquisitor and babies mixed at birth. We are told that one of the two principal gondoliers is, in fact, the long lost King of Barataria, but…which one? Their two new wives are anxious to know. In anticipation of a happy outcome the gondoliers all move to the South Sea Island of Barataria and there they set up a court, but one which is run upon strictly republican lines. How can this work? Surely you can’t have a republican king, we are all told. Well the plot thickens, and then is resolved with a happy ending for all – how else can Gilbert and Sullivan end? All of this with some of Sullivan’s happiest and most brilliant music such as, Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes, When a Merry Maiden Marries and, of course, the dubious military exploits of the Duke of Plaza-Toro. This is a great evening or afternoon’s entertainment for the whole family. Season: Evenings at 7.30pm Thursday 6th - Saturday 8th October Thursday 13th - Saturday 15th October Matinees 2pm Saturday 8th and 15th