The Scarlet Pimpernel

What an exciting, entertaining night of theatre this is! I’d not seen it before, though we studied the book at school.

Ignatians gave it more than just concert treatment  ̶minimal period costume suggestions and enough stage action to involve us in the intrigue and cloak-and-dagger action. It was given effective professional lighting (Andrew “Panda” Haden) and Dan Knudson controlled sound so the performers were never drowned out by the full orchestra under MD Kym Brown (who also directed the show). Most important were the spectacular soloists and chorus.

The leads, Glen Schafer (as Percy Blakeney), Jordana Peek (Marguerite St Just), Scott Bolland (Chauvelin) and Scott Hossack (Robespierre et al) were all in fine voice in solos and duets. The chorus work from so many young performers, some barely out of school, was impressive. “Madame Guillotine”, and “Into the Fire” were especially memorable. What a goldmine of talent Ignatians has here.

Production pieces were well rehearsed to maximise the entertainment value of the concert. “The Gavotte” for instance, carefully choreographed and well rehearsed, is pivotal to the intrigue; and the equally well developed rapier fight between Chauvelin and Blakeney was real enough to worry the audience. The League’s foppish comedy sequence “The Creation of Man”, with enough costume bits to add to our mirth, was well sung and played.

If Ignatians decide to mount this as a full production in future, I want to be there!

Jay McKee