Patience

The Gilbert and Sullivan Society of WA presents one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s less often performed operettas, a tale of “love, jealousy and utter foolery” which satirises the aesthetic movement of the mid 1800s. While the aesthetic movement aspect doesn’t date well, it remains relevant with its mocking of trends, fads and hero worship.

The show opens with twenty lovesick maidens (although 8 must be hiding behind the wall for the duration of this production), who sing about their hopeless love for the fleshly poet Reginald Bunthorne, in a scene which reminded me very much of The Bachelor. Bunthorne - an unlikely sex symbol as played with charm by Ross Bryant - only has eyes for the milkmaid Patience, a beautiful performance by Grace Feltoe. 

The women in this rendition are particularly strong - especially vocally. Belinda Cox shines as Lady Jane, who has a genuine attraction to Bunthorne, far beyond the fleeting affections of the other maidens. Marli van der Bijl makes a lovely Western Australian debut as the most outspoken of the ladies, Emily Schinkel nicely plays Lady Saphir, while Alexandra Colton, and her cymbals, make quite an impact as Lady Ella.

Wesley Williams is a crowd favourite as intruder Bachelor - Archibald Grosvenor - who becomes the new obsession. Steve Sherwood, (Colonel Calverley), David Cosgrove (Major Murgatroyd) and Tim Riessen (Lieut. the Duke of Dunstable) are a great comic trio, and Max Page rounds out the principal cast as Bunthorne’s solicitor.

A chorus of rapturous maidens and dragoon guards are gorgeously costumed by a team led by Veronica Hudson, with the military uniforms and aesthetic costumes particularly impressive. Barry Boyd and David Hardie have created a set that gives a sense of gravitas and stability in contrast to the rapidly changing fads and affections in the plot.

Special mention should be made of Max Page’s program, which is particularly informative and entertaining read.

Patience is much more entertaining than The Bachelor and a great chance to catch a lesser-known G&S classic.

Kimberley Shaw