The Sorcerer

1998

Review

June 1998

Northern NODA news. February 1999. Trevor Harder

A change of venue to the Priory Theatre in Tynemouth, due to anticipated rebuilding plans (now shelved), of their normal theatre, turned out to my mind, to be a major advantage. 'Sorcerer' in the intimacy of the Priory was delightful, as against a smaller audience rattling around in the barn that is the Playhouse.

'Sorcerer' is not one of the most popular Savoy Operas, sot it is always a pleasure to see and hear it when it is well done, as in this presentation.

A bright, well designed and painted set and nice costume added greatly to Val Corbitt's excellent, fairly traditional production. Mike Graham's Alexis was a priceless twit, and I liked Fu-Meng Khaw's parson very much, (pity about the distracting flower watering during his first song). Philip Smith made his sorcerer a cockney spiv, rather than a malevolent trickster, but it worked very well for him, and his diction in the catalogue patter-song was superb. June Posting's Lady Sangazure and Marjorie Archer's Aline were very well sung as I would have expected.

The choral singing was lusty, as the style of this piece requires. Before the opera began, I had wondered if such a large and excellent orchestra might not be overpowering in a much smaller theatre. I might have known that Tony Hurst would have it all under control, as always. The singing came over beautifully, and the evening was one of sheer musical pleasure. Well done.

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2013