Sunningdale Savoy Chorus Gala Year 2011
In 2011 The Sunnin
gdale Savoy Chorus will have existed for 20 years. Founded in 1991by John Woodward - Roberts and Mark Bennett the Society originally performed the Savoy Operas of Gilbert and Sullivan but now include all types of musical theatre in its repetoire. For its gala year in 2011, however, it will be returning to its roots by performing a range of concerts and shows all designed to celebrate the Savoy in its name.
Its main show in 2011 will be a reworking of the lesser performed G&S
Opera Princess Ida to a new book by John Woodward-Roberts and script by Peter Harris. John is chairman of the Society and Peter, one of its longest members, is the author of "Demokracy", the satire on modern day politics sung to Sullivan's melodies and performed recently in the "Party Around The Parish" celebrations in Sunningdale.
The history of Princess Ida is as follows:
"Princess Ida, or Castle Adamant" opened on 5 January 1884 at the Savoy Theatre and ran for 246 performances. It is the only three act Gilbert and Sullivan Opera and the only one with dialogue in blank verse. This is because Gilbert based his libretto on his earlier play The Princess which, in turn, he described as "a perversion" of Tennyson's poem of the same name.
It was produced between Iolanthe and The Mikado when its creators were at the height of their powers. The score is Sullivan at his best, and some people consider that Gilbert's libretto contains some of his funniest lines.
Prince Hilarion had been married in babyhood to Princess Ida, daughter of King Gama. The Princess, however, has set up a college for women from which all men are barred. Hilarion and his friends infiltrate the castle and ultimately the men, led by Hilarion's father, King Hildebrand, stage a full-scale invasion. Ida is abandoned by her women and finally surrenders to her Prince.
Watch this space for more information on Princess Ida and our Gala Year.
John and Peter intend to keep the story as it is but take satirical sideswipes at young and lusty Royal Princes, independently minded women, and our celebrity and gender bending culture. It's going to be a theatrical riot!!