The mention of ‘operetta’ might get a few giggles or maybe even a polite eye-roll from a younger crowd. That’s exactly what we thought when we first heard about ‘Patience,’ the show by Charles Court Opera celebrating their 20th anniversary this year, so we decided to check it out with an open mind. And wow, were we blown away! Seriously, this ended up being one of the best live shows we’ve seen this year. Let us tell you why.
First, there is the venue: Wilton’s is an incredible grade II listed treasure of a building, the only surviving Grand Music Hall in the world, beautifully restored to maintain its charming essence from 166 years ago. The bar exudes the delightful ambiance of a quaint French brasserie with its inviting open shutter windows, classic tables, benches, and chairs, along with the mouthwatering aromas coming from the kitchen (they do simple but delicious pre-show menus). The seating areas upstairs are a delightful discovery, inviting everyone to soak in the charm of this historic gem. We even learned that the older parts of the building were a lively pub dating back to the 1690s, adding to the venue’s historic appeal.
The theatre hall is not only an architectural gem but also a vibrant space that elevates the evening’s live entertainment experience, which was evident during the delightful performance of Patience operetta. Wilton’s curates and produces extraordinary music and theatre, hosting over 300 performances and more than 80 productions annually.
Gilbert and Sullivan’s funniest operetta, Patience brims with biting humour, brilliant lyrics and rich, toe-tapping music. This play, a great satire on the aesthetic movement, re-imagined by the Charles Court Opera for the 21st century, is all about hero-worship and meaningless fads – all subjects that are as fresh and relevant today as they were in the time of Oscar Wilde, a great supporter of this movement in his day.
The story revolves around two rival poets, Reginald Bunthorne (Matthew Kellett) and Archibald Grosvenor (Matthew Siveter), who are admired by all the local ladies for their “aesthetic” sensibilities. The titular character, Patience (Catriona Hewitson), a simple milkmaid, finds herself in a romantic predicament, as she can only love a man who is “faultless,” which neither of the poets can truly be.
The troupe of 9 exceptional artists are all first-class operetta performers, and throughout the show, they delivered the demanding classic Gilbert and Sullivan patter songs and lyrical arias with incredible skill and clarity. However, what truly made this performance unforgettable to us was their group operetta librettos that brought feelings of excitement, joy and amusement that filled our heart with pure joy.
Musical Director David Eaton is a key element of the show’s success, with his single piano generating a full and effective musical backdrop to the operetta. He certainly deserved the extra applause for his superb performance, and top marks also for John Savournin, the Director and mastermind of this deeply captivating show.
This Charles Court Opera production of Patience offers an enchanting and entertaining evening, perfectly blending exceptional musical performances with an innovative and witty take on a cherished comic masterpiece that you should definitely go and see!
Gilbert and Sullivan’s Patience is at Wilton’s Hall until 13 September (with matinee shows on Thursday and Saturday). Tickets from £12.50
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