Ruddigore – Lowry, Salford

Composer: Sir Arthur Sullivan

Librettist: Sir W.S. Gilbert

Director: Jo Davies

Conductor: Anthony Kraus

When it premiered in 1887, Ruddigore failed to match the spectacular success of its predecessor The Mikado and is still overlooked in favour of more popular Gilbert and Sullivan operas. In this dazzling revival, Ruddigore is reinvigorated and given the full Busby Berkley musical theatre treatment by director, Jo Davies, whose previous credits include Carousel and Kiss Me Kate.

Ruddigore draws heavily on elements of witchcraft and Victorian gothic melodramas which were extremely popular in their heyday at the Savoy Theatre in London where Gilbert and Sullivan’s operas were first performed by the D’Oyly Carte. This production is updated to the silent movie era of the 1920s which provides a perfect backdrop for this typically Gilbertian topsy-turvy tale, featuring a hapless hero, a reluctant villain, a beautiful village maiden and a surfeit of professional bridesmaids and ancestral ghosts.

During the overture a video projection explains the backstory to the ancient curse of Ruddigore which was bestowed on the first Baronet when he burnt a witch at the stake. Since then, the Baronet and all his descendants have been cursed to commit a crime every day or die in agony. The opera begins with mild and diffident farmer Robin Oakapple, romantically pursuing the primly perfect, Rose Maybud. Requiring help to woo Rose, Robin seeks advice from his foster-brother, Richard Dauntless who is recently returned from ten years at sea. On meeting Rose, Richard falls in love with her, and they become engaged. After a change of heart, Rose decides to marry Robin, but their wedding day is cruelly interrupted when the current ‘Bad Baronet’ Sir Despard arrives with devastating news. Eager to rid himself of being a Baronet he tells the wedding guests that Robin is his elder brother and must accept the hereditary title. Rose immediately rejects Robin who leaves to become the new Baronet and live a solitary existence at Ruddigore Castle. As with all Gilbert and Sullivan comic operas the plot contains many twists and turns until eventually all wrongs are righted and the characters enjoy a happy ending.

For this production, a real treat for G and S fans and lovers of musical theatre alike, Opera North has assembled a first-rate cast. To deliver the lyricism and sheer delight of Sullivan’s exquisite score and the absurdist wit of Gilbert’s libretto, requires performers who possess great musicality and characterisation, this production is blessed to have them in abundance. Fully embracing director Davies’ 1920s setting, the principals imbue their roles with style and musical theatre panache. Amy Freston and Dominic Sedgwick as Rose and Robin are outstanding, their duets are a delight, both are natural comedians, and they remain wonderfully appealing throughout. Others worthy of mention include John Savournin as Sir Despard and Helen Evora as Mad Margaret, theirs is an excellent partnership, distinguished by great on-stage chemistry and plenty of slapstick comedy. The musical highlight of the evening is proffered by Steven Page, whose commanding rendition as Sir Roderic Murgatroyd of ‘When the night wind howls,’ is sung with deeply felt passion and suitably atmospheric.

Anthony Kraus conducts the always impressive chorus and orchestra of Opera North with skill and vigour bringing Sullivan’s terrific melodies and dynamics to the fore. Aided by Richard Hudson’s superb and versatile sets, which brilliantly use vivid dark tones and sepia black and white to depict the worlds of silent cinema and gothic horror, the production is another triumph for Opera North. The opportunity to see this rarely performed G and S classic is not to be missed and is highly recommended.

Sung in English, Ruddigore is on tour until Thursday 21 November 2024