Wednesday 22 August 2012

Reviews: Yeoman and The Grand Duke

Richard D has sent us a link to a review by Rupert Christiansen of the Telegraph of the BBC Proms Yeomen of the Guard:
Here, outstandingly, we had the magisterial Felicity Palmer as Dame Carruthers, that expressive and stylish tenor Andrew Kennedy as Colonel Fairfax, and the assured Heather Shipp as the flirtatiously resourceful Phoebe Meryll. The most strikingly original interpretation came from Mark Stone, who played Jack Point younger and jauntier than usual, making his final collapse all the more moving for being unexpected.....
You can read the full review here. Don't forget that it's being broadcast on BBC2 this Saturday!

I also have another Rupert Christiansen Telegraph review of The Grand Duke at the Buxton International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival. Christiansen points out that this was 'a historic occasion: the first staged professional production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s final collaboration since its premiere in 1896'. As you might expect, the Grand Duke itself garners little praise:
After the opening, the pair never spoke to each other again. The result of these tensions is a rather plodding and joyless affair that gives the distinct impression of having been created on autopilot.
But he gives the company credit for doing:
a sterling job of trying to pump some life into the corpse, in front of a full house generous with its applause.
You can read the full Grand Duke review here.

Thank you Richard!

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Wednesday 15 August 2012

Yeomen Prom performance on TV

For all you Yeomen lovers that can't get to the Albert Hall, this Sunday's Prom performance of The Yeomen of the Guard will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and - even better - will be televised on Saturday 25th August on BBC 2 at 8pm. You will find full details here on the BBC Proms Website. This is a fantastic cast, so definitely one not to miss : -).

Thanks to Richard D for the heads up.

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Wednesday 8 August 2012

Jack the Ripper now booking!


Jack the Ripper is now open for booking! Tickets are available online through the Queen Mother Theatre or by ringing the Box Office on 01462 455166 (please leave a message). Or you can ring PBGS directly on 07946 264886. Full priced tickets are £13 and concessions £11 (For performances on Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th October only).

Rehearsals are well under way with the cast enjoying creating all the different characters of London's East End. Jack the Ripper is already generating a lot of interest and we can promise you a wonderful production, so make sure you book early to avoid disappoinment.

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Thursday 2 August 2012

Noda Nominations!

Paula as 'Patience' © XMO4 PHOTOS

Congratulations to Paula Fraser who has been nominated for Best Comedy Performance for Patience in 'Patience' in NODA's 2011-2012 District 3 Awards!  PBGS has also received a nomination for Most Colourful/Suitable Costumes.

The winners will be announced at the District Meeting on 9th September 2012, with the runners up also receiving a Certificate of Distinction. Way to go Paula!!!! And all of us for wearing those costumes so well : -).
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Wednesday 1 August 2012

Follow us on Twitter


So you won't miss any PBGS news you can now follow us on Twitter. You'll find us at https://twitter.com/@pbgands or by clicking on the button on the right of this page. I wonder what wonderfully pithy patter song Gilbert would have written about tweeting if it had been around in his day? Bet he would have loved it!
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