This charming production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Venetian romp is more bridge of highs than sighs.
Four wheeled arches feature in Michael Pavelka’s first act set, combined in various permutations to portray the Rialto, church steps, and a palazzo entrance, while a ‘waterway’ to the rear allows for some comic gondola arrivals.
The first to show are two handsome and charming gondolier brothers (Robin Bailey and Samuel Pantcheff) who each marry a city flower girl. We later discover that one of the men is actually the long-lost heir to the throne of Barataria, and already betrothed to boot. But no one knows which one.
Bailey and Pantcheff are particularly strong in the second act as they try to rule their kingdom in an egalitarian fashion – one of the key satires of the story, along with a riff on people as companies which would seem esoteric if it wasn’t for the rise of celebrity cryptocurrency.
Along with sparkly-attired inquisitor Don Alhambra del Bolero (Matthew Siveter) this quintet have probably the most fun, hamming it up with a helping hand from Laura Jane Stanfield’s over the top costumes.
Into the mix arrive the pantomime-ish Duke and Duchess of Plaza-Toro (Phil Wilcox and Lauren Young), who both seem to immensely enjoy themselves in their roles, their daughter (Kelli-Ann Masterson), and servant Luiz (George Roberts).
Liam Steel’s direction throws some extra physical jokes into Gilbert’s witty libretto and keeps things mostly fast and fun, with Jack Ridley’s orchestra offering fine accompaniment to what are mostly strong vocal performances. Young, and Phoebe Smith as Gianetta particularly show through.
The pace wanes with a couple of songs that a brave production might have excised, but this isn’t an attempt at a radical reinterpretation – it’s a classic Gilbert and Sullivan done very well.
- English Touring Opera’s The Gondoliers was at Norwich Theatre Royal on 25 April 2026. Touring nationally, including Arts Theatre, Cambridge on 7 & 9 May 2026.
