THE SORCERER

Opera della Luna at the Civic Theatre

02.04.11

Opera della Luna have taken Gilbert's comic opera and fast-forwarded it to the 1970s, where its themes of free love and mind-altering substances feel very much at home.

We are at a garden fête, inside an impressive marquee. Before the overture is finished, we've had handbells and unrequited love, neatly symbolised by the vicar's panama hat.

The “pale young curate” in question was Philip Cox, by no means ancient enough, but very amusing, especially in his drug-fuelled infatuation with Alexis in Act Two.

Alexis was played as a groovy swinger – flared jeans, purple velvet, droopy moustache – by Oliver White, who managed his tenor arias with some style, too, even when hand-jiving, disco dancing and cavorting with his intended, Abigail Iveson's Aline.

The Sorcerer himself was Richard Gauntlett, and Mrs Partlett, mother of the rustic maiden Constance [nicely sung by Claire Watkins] was a hilarious Graham Hoadly.

Another Opera della Luna regular, Ian Belsey, was the funny old buffer Sir Marmaduke; Sylvia Clarke as his beloved had just the kind of rich, deep tone these roles demand.

The Ploverleigh Village Band was conducted by Artistic Director Jeff Clarke, who was also responsible for this inspired revival. The music was treated with respect, but not reverence, and the inventive staging and polished comic performances made for a disgracefully enjoyable evening.