Always a bridesmaid: Charles Court Opera's Ruddigore

By Charlotte Valori, 20 February 2015

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Reviewed at King's Head Theatre, Islington, London on 18 February 2015

Sullivan, Ruddigore

Charles Court Opera

John Savournin, Director, Sir Despard Murgatroyd

James Perkins, Set Designer

Rebecca Moon, Rose Maybud

Cassandra McCowan, Mad Margaret

Amy J Payne, Dame Hannah

Philip Lee, Richard Dauntless

Matthew Kellett, Robin Oakapple / Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd

Simon Masterton-Smith, Old Adam Goodheart

Andrea Tweedale, Zorah

Susanna Buckle, Ruth

David Eaton, Piano

The darker side of G&S: Yeomen of the Guard at Holland Park

David Karlin, 7th August

Some good singing performances can't overcome a dated feeling of Gilbert's humour: the evening improves as the storm clouds gather.

**111

HMS Pinafore at OHP: infernal nonsense of the best kind

Mark Valencia, 9th August

It’s a risky business to describe comic nuance or timing, so please take my word that these qualities were as pitch-perfect as the vocal prowess on display.

****1

A musical joy and a comical hoot: The Pirates of Penzance at OHP

Mark Valencia, 7th August

John Savournin directs Opera Holland Park's end-of-term G&S romp.

*****

Jungle drums beating true

Charlotte Valori, 9th July

John Savournin takes Mozart's Magic Flute on an exotic adventure into the Peruvian rainforest: and retrieves more than a sprinkling of Inca gold.

****1

A mafioso Merry Widow at Opera Holland Park

Dominic Lowe, 19th June

Despite some excellent music-making, John Savournin's production is hindered by a laboured New York relocation.

**111

Lampooning the law: Scottish Opera’s satirical new double bill

David Smythe, 14th May

Scottish Opera’s double bill of Trial by Jury and the world premiere of Toby Hession’s fun-packed A Matter of Misconduct! features an ensemble cast, mostly of Emerging Artists.

****1

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Charlotte Valori

Charlotte Valori read Classics at Christ Church, Oxford. As a classicist, her main interest is Greek tragedy and its reception by later cultures, which has led to a continuing passion for theatre and opera. Charlotte reviews for several online magazines, and won the Bachtrack Opera Award 2015 for Best Written English Review. Follow her on Twitter @operissima.