Savoyard February 2008
Newsletter of the Wellington Gilbert and Sullivan Society Inc. 

If you think that the Members of Parliament are away with the fairies, then you will appreciate W.S. Gilbert's fairy tale operetta IOLANTHE.  Having satirised the Public Service, Admiralty and Police, Gilbert targets the most British of institutions, the Houses of Parliament.  This late work by Gilbert and Sullivan shows them at their best, with droll wit and enchanting music.

The fallibility of the mortals we elect to govern us is a perennial theme presenting a rich mine of ineptitude, enactment of laws which lack common sense, self-serving behaviour, posturing, spin, and the limitations of party politics…"

When in the House, MPs divide… They’ve go to leave that brain outside, and vote just as their leaders tell 'em to."

The story revolves around a pair of young lovers Strephon and Phyllis.  Phyllis is a ward of court under the authority of the Lord Chancellor, and the peers from the House of Lords are smitten at the sight of her.  They proclaim their superiority in a stirring march (Tan-tan-tara!) but discover that blue blood has no power to attract true love. When the blandishments of privilege fail them, resort to knavish tricks brings down Fairy wrath from above, with Strephon entering Parliament carrying extraordinary powers. Along the way the quaint protocols of the ruling classes are held up to the light for our amusement. The Lord Chancellor is also stricken but finds himself hopelessly compromised and in the memorable Nightmare Song he reveals the agony of his position. The story is finally resolved with an expedient amendment to the Fairy Laws so that all may live happily ever after.

More information about the plot on the "and now" page 

Auditions are being held
15 and 16 March

Te Whaea, John St Newtown

Contact Jean Hulbert 478 9017 to make a time.

More details and map on the auditions page

Performance dates are:

Opera House Wellington 8 and 9 August

Southwards Kapiti 16 August

Royal Wanganui Opera House 23 August

Regent Palmerston North 6 September 

Hugh McMillan is our Musical Director and is well known to us all. 

The show will be Co-Directed by Mary Love and Gillian Jerome.   

Here is a list of the principal characters.

FAIRY QUEEN CONTRALTO,
Commanding presence. Omnipotent, appears stern though soft hearted underneath.
Grandmother to Strephon.

IOLANTHE MEZZO SOPRANO.
The daughter of the Fairy Queen. Mother of Strephon. Was married to the Lord
Chancellor and still loves him. Gentle, loving, kind and beautiful.
Much loved by all the fairies.

STREPHON BARITONE
Arcadian Shepherd. Fairy from waist upwards, mortal from waist down. In love with Phyllis who is a "Ward in Chancery". Determined confident young man.

PHYLLIS SOPRANO
Arcadian Shepherdess. In love with Strephon but afraid to defy the Lord Chancellor.

LORD CHANCELLOR BARITONE – PATTER MAN
Irascible, enamoured of Phyllis. Very aware of his duty. Strephon’s father.

 CELIA  SOPRANO/MEZZO SOPRANO (To top G).
Most tender hearted of all the fairies.

LEILA MEZZO SOPRANO (To E).
The only Fairy brave enough to occasionally confront the Fairy Queen.

LORD MOUNTARARAT  BARITONE.
Any stage age. Very patriotic. In love with Phyllis.

LORD TOLLOLLER TENOR
Very pompous, conceited and full of himself, and MADLY in love with Phyllis.

PRIVATE WILLIS BASS. Intelligent, knowledgeable and brave British Soldier. Gallant and protective towards the gentler sex.