Sets had been constructed and erected in the rehearsal hall in Glasgow. Costumes had been made and were ready for first fittings when the singers arrived, and then, as we all remember, covid 19 hit us all with a blow that many didn’t survive and the rest of us still live with.
After several false starts and optimistic efforts to revive our plans, finally, we can announce the resurrection of our new co-production with Scottish Opera, (our third collaboration) and State Opera South Australia. The Gondoliers and Utopia, Limited will reach the stage this autumn in Scotland and next spring in London.
These Gilbert and Sullivan productions have been years in the planning, and we can’t wait for you to see them. Both productions will be staged at Theatre Royal Glasgow, Festival Theatre Edinburgh and Eden Court Theatre Inverness this autumn and then in London at the Hackney Empire in the spring of 2022.
Scottish Opera’s Head of Music, Derek Clarke, who conducted both of our previous collaborations with Scottish Opera, The Pirates of Penzance in 2013 and The Mikado in 2016, said “The Gondoliers is like a breath of Italian summer air. Gilbert’s witty book and lyrics show him at the top of his game and Sullivan, inspired by the Venetian setting, produced his sunniest score, with one lilting melody after another – all guaranteed to make you leave the theatre with a smile on your face. It’s pure joy from start to finish, exactly what you need after a difficult year and a half.”
Stuart Maunder (Artistic Director of State Opera South Australia) directs, and followers of D’Oyly Carte’s recent journey will remember Stuart’s terrific production of The Pirates of Penzance which toured in the late 1990’s and spent a very satisfying season at the Queen’s Theatre in London’s Shaftesbury Avenue.
The book for Utopia, Limited has been revisited by Stuart and Derek and we have a brand-new performing edition especially for this production which will be presented as a fully staged concert for a limited number of performances in Scotland and in London, so if you are a Gilbert and Sullivan fan this is a ‘not-to-be-missed’ opportunity.
Dates for your diary:
The Gondoliers*
16, 21, 23 October, Theatre Royal, Glasgow
22 October, Access Performance*, Theatre Royal, Glasgow
28, 29. 30, 31 October & 4, 6 November, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
3 November, Access Performance*, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
10, 11, 13 November, Eden Court Theatre, Inverness
12 November, Access Performance*, Eden Court Theatre, Inverness
30, 31 March, 2 April 2022, Hackney Empire, London
*Access performances of The Gondoliers are a shortened version of the opera, introduced by a narrator and with cast and orchestra. Designed with Dementia Friendly values at heart these performances are open to all and are suitable for anyone who might enjoy the flexibility and freedom to relax and move about as required.
Utopia, Limited*
20 October, Theatre Royal, Glasgow
5 November, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
1 April, Hackney Empire, London
TICKETS WILL NOT BE GOING ON SALE UNTIL SEPTEMBER
*The Gondoliers and Utopia, Limited are supported by Play a Supporting Role
Both productions are generously supported by The Michael Bishop Foundation
London performances are supported by The Golsoncott Foundation
