The Yeomen of the Guard

By W. S. Gilbert & Arthur Sullivan

Directed by Gillian Jerome | Musical Direction by Hugh McMillan
On tour August 14 to 5 September

Wellington G&S Light Opera opens its 2009 main production at the Wellington Opera House on Friday 14 August, and takes it on its regular tour to regional centres Paraparaumu, Wanganui and Palmerston North, closing there on 5 September.

The full Yeomen set in Wilf Conroy’s artwork is being used for the first time in many years, as all the theatres on this tour are able to accommodate the very tall flats which were designed for use in the Opera House.

Gilbert & Sullivan’s comic operas were all written for popular appeal but Yeomen stands out as the most dramatic of their works. Sullivan was delighted to have a libretto offering a fully operatic scope and characterisation and the score is widely considered to be his finest, with greater orchestral forces and use of double chorus. This production has a cast of 39 singers, supported by an orchestra of 28 players including Sullivan’s extended wind section with such novelties as scoring for three bassoons.

Yeomen, Gilbert and Sullivan's 11th collaboration, is the nearest they came to creating 'Grand Opera'. The plot avoids the topsy-turvy improbabilities of their other works, but Gilbert’s wit is not lost in the dramatic emphasis. Beneath the mantle of heroism and risk-taking for the sake of justice, the by-play of exploited romantic longings, misdirected ambition, expediency and connivance to escape punishment for dereliction of duty all provide a rich mine of humour. This is especially displayed in the character of Shadbolt, Head Jailer and Assistant Tormentor, played by Chris Whelan.

The pivotal role of Point the jester is played by Derek Miller, Celia Falchi as Elsie and Chris Berentson takes the role of Fairfax, soldier and man of the world.

This is a fully staged touring production by the producers of The Mikado (2006), The Tales of Hoffmann (2007) and Iolanthe (2008). The creative team of last year’s very successful production returns with director Gillian Jerome and full complement of cast and orchestra under the baton of musical director Hugh McMillan.

WELLINGTON Friday 14 & Saturday 15 AUGUST Opera House Bookings at TICKETEK 04 384 3840

KAPITI Saturday 22 AUGUST Southward Theatre Bookings: 04 902 9885

WANGANUI Saturday 29 AUGUST Royal Wanganui Opera House Bookings: 06 349 0511

PALMERSTON NORTH Saturday 5th SEPTEMBER Regent on Broadway Bookings: 06 357 9740

www.gns.org.nz

ENDS