St David's Players "The Grand Duke" Barnfield Theatre Tuesday-Saturday 8-12 October 2019

St David's Players
Gilbert & Sullivan "The Grand Duke"
Exeter Barnfield Theatre
Tuesday 8 October - Saturday 12 October
Herald: Lee Andreae - Grand Duke: Tim Hunt
Princess of Monte Carlo: Nicola Wood
Prince of Monte Carlo: Dominic Rousseau
Baroness von Krakenfelde: Amelia Hall
Ernest Dummkopf: Mark Hurford
Julia Jellico: Penny Daw - Ludwig: Adam Carpenter
Lisa: Sheena Galpin - Costumier: Joe McNulty

After 33 years the St David’s Players return to Gilbert & Sullivan’s last, and arguably most comedic operetta – “The Grand Duke”. There are many overlapping stories in this epic farce, involving more than the usual number of comic characters and partnerships. A cavalcade of St David’s Players stars take on these many roles with great artistic flare.

Grand Duke Rudolph: Tim Hunt

Baroness von Krakenfeldt: Amelia Hall

(Photography: Christopher Wilson)

Tim Hunt is the Grand Duke Rudolph of Pfennig-Halbpfennig, a hilariously effete character who nevertheless exudes confidence and authority when necessary. A masterful performance, ably countered by Amelia Hall as the Grand Duke’s fiancée The Baroness von Krakenfeldt. Amelia’s stage presence is quite overwhelming as she downs magna of ’74 and lurches through the members of chorus like a behemoth – while singing angelically throughout.

Penny Daw, as Julia Jellico, is also billed to marry the Duke, but only as part of a thespian takeover coordinated by theatre director Ernest Dummkopf (Mark Hurford). Details of the plot are carefully outlined by company member Ludwig (Adam Carpenter) with instructions for plotters to identify themselves by eating the, otherwise unappetising, sausage rolls.

Julia Jellico: Penny Daw

(Photography: Christopher Wilson)

Adam it should be mentioned, is appearing in a Gilbert & Sullivan operetta for the very first time, as well as this being his first project with the St David’s players. Adam has recently graduated in languages at the University and is now teaching, but singing and acting are clearly his first love. As a student he performed regularly with the a cappella group ‘Semi-Toned’, even joining them for a live performances on Phonic FM.

The plot thickens as Adam changes places with both the Duke and Dummkopf in a strange local custom of ‘The Statutory Duel’ (an alternative title for the operetta). Now he is engaged to Penny and Amelia, leaving his original fiancée Lisa (Sheena Galpin) bereft. Just when it seems things can’t get any more complicated, Dominic Rousseau arrives as the Prince of Monte Carlo, with his daughter – played by Nicola Wood – who, it seems, has been engaged to the Duke since childhood.

Nicola (the actress) is now married to Jonathan Lucas Wood, who has featured in these reviews many times as a tenor. He plays a minor, but very entertaining, character in the action himself (look out for the striped jersey!) Nicola was formerly known as Nikki Wilkes, and was the star of the St David’s Players’ production of ‘Patience’ in 2016 opposite Tim Hunt.

Ludwig: Adam Carpenter

(Photography: Christopher Wilson)

Needless to say, all is resolved satisfactorily in the end, but it is a fabulously tortuous path they all travel to their final destination. En route there are the most fabulous song and dance numbers, all spectacularly choreographed by Director Susan Gunn-Johnson. The dancing becomes more flamboyant and entertaining with each scene, with all the characters and chorus joining in with gusto. Even the dignified notary Dr Taunhäuser (Nick Lawrence) turns out to be a most stylish mover!

The costumes and lighting, as always with the St David’s Players, turn this production into a sumptuous whirl of colour and excitement. The story confuses and excites, ultimately delivering the most absorbing and hilarious display of comic confusion one could wish for. The singing is delightful and memorable, especially with so many leading voices, all performed by such star players, and the mini orchestra is as wonderful as ever – under the skilled direction of Andrew Curtis.

For an evening of top-flight entertainment, at a traditional venue in the heart of Exeter, the St David’s Players production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s “Grand Duke” would be hard to beat. Performances continue nightly at 7.30 until Saturday this week - with an additional 2.30 matinée on Saturday.

St David's Players

Barnfield Theatre

Tues 8 - Sat 12 October 7.30pm

(Matinée Saturday 2.30pm)

THE GRAND DUKE

Gilbert & Sullivan

Director: Susan Gunn-Johnson

Musical Director: Andrew Curtis

Ludwig: Adam Carpenter

Lisa: Sheena Galpin

Ernest Dummkopf: Mark Hurford

Julia Jellico: Penny Daw

Dr Tannhäuser: Nick Lawrence

The Grand Duke: Tim Hunt

Baroness von Krakenfeldt: Amelia Hall

Prince of Monte Carlo: Dominic Rousseau

Princess of Monte Carlo: Nicola Wood

Herald: Lee Andreae

Viscount Mentone: Pete Fances

Costumier: Joe McNulty

Tickets: £16.50 (£15 Tues & Matinée)

Box Office: 01392 271808

Online Booking: TicketSolve