The Gondoliers, subtitled The King of Barataria was a huge success for the partnership of composer, Arthur Sullivan and librettist,  W. S. Gilbert. It premiered at the Savoy Theatre on 7 December 1889 and ran for a very successful 554 performances (at that time the fifth longest-running piece of musical theatre in history), closing on 30 June 1891. Its lilting score has, perhaps, the most sparkling and tuneful music of them all and calls, perhaps, for the most dancing!

The twelfth collaboration between composer Arthur Sullivan and librettist W.S. Gilbert, The Gondoliers  tells the story of two charming Venetian gondoliers, Giuseppe and Marco, who are informed that due to an error of identity when they were young boys, one of them is the heir to the throne of Barataria.  They are delighted with the situation and agree to share the responsibilities of governing their new kingdom until it can be ascertained which of them is which, but matters are complicated when the Duke and Duchess of Plaza Toro reveal that their beautiful daughter, Casilda, was married to the future king as an infant.  The problem?  Giuseppe and Marco are both newly married to the contadine Tessa and Gianetta, and Casilda is in love with her father’s attendant, Luiz.  Since its premiere in 1889, The Gondoliers has delighted audiences with its memorable score by Sullivan, and its political satire, cleverly tucked into Gilbert’s witty plotline.

Announcing a fabulous cast for 2018

Don Alhambra del Bolero          - Donald Stephenson

The Duke of Plaza-Toro              - David McDonald

The Duchess of Plaza-Toro        - Valerie Green

Casilda                                          - Alexandra Mather

Luiz                                                - John Carter

Gianetta                                       - Rachel Warren

Tessa                                             - Jane Fawcett

Marco Palmieri                            - Colin Belsey
Giuseppe Palmieri                       - David Parker

Inez                                                - Roz Ebbetts

Waiter                                            - Keith Worden
 

Chorus soloists -TBA
Antonio        Baritone
Francesco   Tenor
Giorgio        Bass
Annibale     Spoken (male)
Fiametta      Soprano

Vittoria         Mezzo-Soprano

Giulia          Soprano