Their first work was an
opera written in 1871 titled "Thespis" or "The Gods grown old".
Set on mount Olympus it tells of a theatrical company that takes over
the roles of Greek Gods, reminiscent of Offenbach's "Orpheus in the
Underworld" Sadly the vocal score has been lost and there is
limited music and information available.
"Trial by Jury" is a one
act musical that is usually performed as part of a double bill with HMS
Pinafore or Pirates of Penzance. It lasts 45 minutes and has no
spoken dialogue. Gilbert had practised as a barrister before
turning to writing and the court setting was familiar territory. "
When I good friends was called to the bar" was the first of the so
called patter songs. In May 1993 "Trial by Jury " was performed in Bow
magistrates Court as part of the Covent Garden festival.
Savoy Opera's, as they
are known, are very popular in the USA. Sir Richard D'Oyly Carte was the
producer and the company was presided over by Dame Bridget D'Oyly Carte
from her suite at the Savoy hotel , hence the name. Victorian principles
were upheld they were frugal, the wages were low and costumes would be
reused for 30 years or more. The original D'Oyly Carte Opera
company survived until 1982. The productions were traditional, with
movements and business still as Gilbert had laid down in the 1890's and
1900's.
Gilbert's words may have
dated but still are remarkably topical and very witty. He had such a way
with words. Sullivan's melodies have a timeless quality his music
is universal. Sullivan had a reputation as a serious composer but
his genius shone through in the Savoy Operas. Gilbert is to
Sullivan like Lennon is to McCartney. They are very good on their
own but together well genius is an understatement!
Joseph Papp's production
of "Pirates of Penzance" in New York Central Park in 1980 took Broadway
and the West End by storm. The like of which had not been seen
before! There were synthesizers, swashbuckling pirates, energetic
dancers, pop singers, originality and it most definitely was not
stuffy!! I can vouch for that for I was at the West End production
which featured Peter Noon ( of Herman Hermits fame) and Oliver
Tobias (of "The Stud" fame) Peter played Frederick and Oliver
played the Pirate King and both were marvellous. I actually met both
outside the theatre. Peter Noon was charming and chatted to me and
my friends before driving off in a limo with a beautiful blonde, as
befits a true pop star! Oliver Tobias was unshaven mean and moody, as befits
a pirate king ( but he did give me his autograph) This production
started a revival of G&S musicals in the theatre, moving away from the
traditional productions, whilst remaining true to the essence of G&S
1982 saw the launch of
video productions of all of the operas except Utopia Ltd and The Grand
Duke by George Walker, former boxing promoter and brother of Billy
Walker (Former British heavyweight champion). George Walker had no
interest in Gilbert and Sullivan but he was a shrewd business man and
recognised a good business opportunity. There was a huge market in
the USA as well as the UK and he found that G&S works were performed
more than anyone else except for the Beatles! The videos would be ideal
for the home entertainment market.
The new D'Oyly Carte
Opera company started again in 1988, with some modernised productions.
Most of them have been successful l as they have kept with tradition as
far as diction goes and the music is of the highest standard. Though some
modern productions have been disastrous, such as Ken Russell's
production of Princess Ida for the English National Opera 1992/1993. It
was panned by the critics for destroying the theme of the original and
changing the plot to it's detriment. The bad reception did at least ensure that any
further attempts at modernising the Savoy Operas would be kept within
reasonable bounds.
The future of G&S's popularity could depend on the operettas finding
there way back into school. The musicals need to be enjoyed being
sung, performed and played by schoolchildren. The D'Oyly Carte
Opera company is doing good work in this area. In the USA the works are
still sung in schools and colleges. Above all, on both sides of the
Atlantic, amateur groups and societies keep the works alive. The
choruses are good the plots may be predictable but are great fun and
aren't those villains and heroines marvellous!! The Pirate King,
Mad Margaret, Josephine, The Mikado, Yum Yum, John Wellington Wells,
Jack Point, the little list I have goes on and on (if you forgive
the pun!)
