Britain's What's On Event Guide
Gilbert and Sullivan – The Sorcerer
Festival favourites Charles Court Opera make a welcome return with their brand-new production of the first full length G&S opera.
This is the first time CCO have mounted The Sorcerer. It is a long awaited and highly anticipated show, that promises to be a fantastic, funny and magical occasion.
It will be directed by one of the UK’s G&S specialists, and a friendly face at the festival, John Savournin, musically directed by CCO’s musical director, David Eaton, and the cast will feature some of their finest performers.
This show is not to miss, so book early!
Premiered at London’s Opera Comique on 7 Nov 1877 with an initial run of 178 performances. The Sorcerer is historically significant in setting a pattern and style that made the succeeding operas so successful. Gilbert’s control over the acting company and his firm insistence on disciplined teamwork were innovations that were then badly needed in British theatre at the time. He also employed star performers including George Grossmith, Rutland Barrington, and Richard Temple. These performers stayed with the company for many years, and Gilbert and Sullivan wrote many roles specifically to suit their talents.
The Sorcerer’s plot revolves around an engaged couple who want everyone to be as happy as they are. So the groom-to-be brings in a ‘family sorcerer’ to administer a love potion to the entire village. As you might expect, the love potion works, but everyone falls in love with the wrong partner. All is made right in the end, however, as The Sorcerer breaks the spell by the expedient of giving himself up to the powers of evil in an appropriate puff of smoke.
This is the first time CCO have mounted The Sorcerer. It is a long awaited and highly anticipated show, that promises to be a fantastic, funny and magical occasion.
It will be directed by one of the UK’s G&S specialists, and a friendly face at the festival, John Savournin, musically directed by CCO’s musical director, David Eaton, and the cast will feature some of their finest performers.
This show is not to miss, so book early!
Premiered at London’s Opera Comique on 7 Nov 1877 with an initial run of 178 performances. The Sorcerer is historically significant in setting a pattern and style that made the succeeding operas so successful. Gilbert’s control over the acting company and his firm insistence on disciplined teamwork were innovations that were then badly needed in British theatre at the time. He also employed star performers including George Grossmith, Rutland Barrington, and Richard Temple. These performers stayed with the company for many years, and Gilbert and Sullivan wrote many roles specifically to suit their talents.
The Sorcerer’s plot revolves around an engaged couple who want everyone to be as happy as they are. So the groom-to-be brings in a ‘family sorcerer’ to administer a love potion to the entire village. As you might expect, the love potion works, but everyone falls in love with the wrong partner. All is made right in the end, however, as The Sorcerer breaks the spell by the expedient of giving himself up to the powers of evil in an appropriate puff of smoke.
Sunday 18 Aug 24
Hever Castle Kent TN8 7NG
Sun 18 Aug 8pm Two Sisters’ TheatreStandard Ticket £31.70
Organised by
The Festival Theatre at Hever Castle
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