The Gondoliers

The Gondoliers has always been one of the best-loved of the Gilbert & Sulivan operas. By the time they had reached this, their twelfth collaboration, they were both at the height of their powers and the piece is full of Gilbert’s wit and biting satire and Sullivan’s glorious music.

The work is packed with well-known melodies such as “For the merriest fellows are we”, “In enterprise of martial kind”, “When a merry maiden marries”, “Take a pair of sparkling eyes” and of course the Cachucha!

Venice is the delightful setting for the action of the first Act. The local girls welcome the gondoliers, two of whom play ‘blind-man’s buff’ in order to choose their brides. Whilst they leave for a double wedding, a nobleman from Spain arrives with his family and suite to meet with the Grand Inquisitor. He breaks the news that the son of the king of Barataria, whom their daughter married in infancy, is one or other of those two gondoliers. The gondoliers are despatched to Barataria to 
rule jointly, but the girls must stay behind until it can be determined which man is actually the king!

The second Act takes place in the Royal Court of the kingdom of Barataria, where alongside a great deal of fine comedy and wonderful music, the mystery is finally resolved with the usual unexpected plot twist.

This is sure to be another delightful evening as experienced local company “Mostly G&S” present this most charming piece. Come and be swept along in the continual flow of melody.