Back from Gettysburg today. In better spirits than Robert E. Lee on departing. Why Gettysburg? The (first annual) Gilbert & Sullivan Festival in Gettysburg, of course. Interesting little town. Its entire raison d'etre seems to be to commemorate the site of the greatest battle of the Civil War. Every shop sells Civil War memorabilia, practically every building bears a plaque that says "Civil War House". Driving from the hotel to the downtown area one passes through vast fields that were where ferocious fighting took place almost a century and a half ago.
American history was not what drew me there, though. It was the celebration of British musical theatre of the late 19th century. General Lee might have enjoyed the performance of HMS Pinafore, but alas, it hadn't been written yet when he visited Gettysburg in 1863. It wouldn't be till 1871 that Gilbert & Sullivan first collaborated and 1875 when they really got down to business with Trial by Jury.
The Festival was a whirl of activity and the chance to meet old friends was priceless. The first performance we saw upon arrival was The Lamplighters (of San Francisco) doing a show called "The Story of Gilbert & Sullivan". A biographical framework with musical interludes, well sung and well staged. From this sample of their handiwork, I'd love to see a full production by The Lamplighters.
A wonderfully entertaining production of The Sorcerer by "Peggy Sue" (Philadelphia Gilbert & Sullivan Union, a collaboration by several Philadelphia area companies) set the action in Buxton (home of the International G&S Festival) with the chorus dressed and made up as various G&S characters milling around the local pub, owned by Sir Marmaduke. An excellent cast all round, but for me the most memorable performance was by Julie May, in the usually inconsequential role of Mrs. Partlet. Often cast with the second string contralto or mezzo, she usually fades into the background. Not this time! A brilliant singer/actress/comedienne, Julie commanded attention from her first appearance and was hilarious in the second act when she and Marmaduke were literally all over each other (while under the influence of the love potion). The biggest oversight in the awards presentation was the omission of her unforgettable performance. Maybe the proper British adjudicator couldn't appreciate the broad slapstick humor of her portrayal. Anyway, count me a Julie May fan now!
Elise Curran is not human. Her endless energy, buoyant spirits and limitless talents do not fall within the parameters of the normal human condition. Her attire consistently maintained a color scheme of red and black, but red and blue would have been more appropriate. For certainly if she were to remove her blouse (assuming that consisted with her maidenly modesty) a big red "S" would surely have been revealed. Running the souvenir concession at performances, playing clarinet in the youth orchestra and giving rides to car-less friends were but side activities for this dynamo. One of the high points of the week was her vocal recital /tribute to soprano Ruth Vincent (foolishly scheduled at 10:30 in the morning). A talented raconteur and singer, she had the audience in the palm of her hand the entire time.
This was not enough of a triumph for our heroine, though. Super-Soprano flew to the rescue for the last performance of the week, the Ridgewood Grand Duke. Eileen Karlson, who was to have sung the cameo role of the Herald, after a valiant battle with laryngitis, finally lost her voice the day of the performance. Who could possibly jump in at short notice and take on the role? With one brief rehearsal that afternoon, Elise jumped in and took possession of the role as if she'd been doing it for weeks. Smart and saucy, she was a delight. Definitely NOT human.
Lots of other lovely performances: two Gilbert plays: Engaged (always hilarious and very well performed by members of the Victorian Lyric Opera Company, who also presented HMS Pinafore) and Sweethearts, a surprisingly uncynical and more heartfelt work by Gilbert. A British amateur company, Derby G&S, presented a Mikado that was "traditional" (in the very best sense) and well drilled and entertaining.
The good news at the end of the week was the announcement that the G&S Festival would be back in Gettysburg next year. I can hardly wait!
