Princess Ida

Our show for this 2007 was Princess Ida or Castle Adamant and was held on November 14-17, in Ipswich Corn Exchange.

Prior to the performance we had some publicity photos taken at Orford.

Princess Ida - the show

Princess Ida is unique among the Gilbert and Sullivan Operas - it's the only one in 3 Acts; it's the only one written in blank verse; it's the only one with 2 leading Tenor roles; it has more principal parts than any other one. So it was a challenge and an opportunity to perform it. Our performance was a traditional version of Gilbert's words and Sullivan's music.

The show was based on Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem The Princess and has some marvellous characters in it: the twisted King Gama ("I can tell a woman's age in half a minute - and I do") and his sons Arac, Guron and Scynthius ("We are warriors three"). Princess Ida herself has founded a women-only college (Gilbert poking fun at the establishment of such colleges in Oxford and Cambridge in the 1860s and 70s), and the college has nothing to do with men whatever. As Gama says, even "the crowing's done by an accomplished hen!". Then there's the 3 male characters - Hilarion, the son of King Hildebrand and betrothed to Ida in youth and his friends Florian and Cyril (the one who gets the worse for wear in Act 2 and sings the drunken "kissing song"). And who can forget the tutors of the college at Castle Adamant - Lady Blanche, who believes it should be her running the university, not Ida, and Lady Psyche, who sings the wonderful song about Darwinian man, called "A Lady fair, of lineage high".

Reviews of the show

James Hayward from the EADT said (amongst other nice things) "Musically, there is much to praise. Natasha Bennett looks lovely and sings ravishingly as the Princess, and Gerry Bremner makes an ardent Prince Hilarion. In smaller roles, Rosalind Atkins shines as Lady Psyche and Doug Birchall is gloriously gruff as the helmeted warrior Arac. Both of these admirable performers display that style and panache which is so essential to a good G&S production."

Other comments we received:

• "We thoroughly enjoyed The Princess Ida on Saturday evening . Great production with such a large cast." John Harden
• "We all enjoyed the evening immensely! Congratulations to each and every one who played their part towards the success." Jane and Brian Horn
• "From the start this production had pace and sparkle with some super costumes which lit up the stage" Pam White, NODA representative
• Costumes, make up, set and lighting were all first class, with a very good set of principals to deliver the characters in speech, vision and song" John Warburton, NODA East representative
• "The music was excellent, well supported by the way the show was dressed. The production and continuity were up to a professional standard and all in all you provided us with a spectacular show." Geoffrey Harrison, Probus
• "a very good show as usual." Mrs J Maryon

The Show

Looked like this:

Some of the chorus in Act I are uncertain about King Gama.

Florian (Howard Brooks) listens on as King Gama (Roy Preston) explains his approach to life.

The Sons of Gama (Jason Davis, Doug Birchall and Ian Hunter) try to convince King Hildebrand's court that they are fierce and mean.

King Hildebrand (Leslie Dumbell) reassures Hilarion (Gerry Bremner)

Some of the chorus contemplate as Florian considers the task ahead.

And others contemplate more, while Cyril (John Aldam) does the same

Florian, Cyril and Hildebrand gird their loins.

The Lady Scholars, led by Melissa (Jane Reader) prepare for study (or is it lunch?).

Lady Blanch (Sylvia Towell) and Melissa, her daughter, appear to be surrendering to someone...

Ah. Perhaps it's Lady Psyche (Rosalind Atkins) who explains how an ape can never climb the social scale to equal a lady.

Princess Ida (Natasha Bennett) implores Minerva to help her.

And the battle is on, as Hildebrand's soldier rush the college.

But the scholars make it clear they won't give in without a battle.

King Gama's sons explain how they need no armour to fight.

And Ida mans (womans?) the barricades.

King Hildebrand preens over his victory

And Gama is still not happy.

Photos by Mike Kwasniak.

The Cast