Ruddigore television production on DVD

This is another in the rather pedestrian British television series of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. I've previously discussed The Mikado and Patience. Like Mikado, this production of Ruddigore includes a "What the Hell!" cast member--namely Vincent Price. Mr. Price does admirably with the dialogue, but doesn't bring a thing to the music.

This was the first G&S in my Year, that I did not previously know--either by having seen it or been in it. My first thought is that there is a lot of dialogue, and that many of the musical numbers seem under-developed. I was also struck by the number of duets in this show--it seems to me that usually only the young lovers have a duet, but in Ruddigore, there are duets for everyone.

The plot revolves around the brothers Murgatroyd, which has to provide some of the best rhymes ever (unemployed, so annoyed, hemmoroid), and a curse on their family in Castle Ruddigore.

The vocal standout in the cast is Sandra Dugdale, who was also in Patience. Ann Howard tries admirably with Mad Margaret, but doesn't quite get there for me--either vocally or acting. Several in the cast (including Mr. Price) are significantly older than their characters, which doesn't work in something as close-up as television.

This is an odd show also for the chorus. The men portray the ghosts of the family Murgatroyd. The women are a roving band of bridesmaids. Neither group has that much to do, not even a rousing final chorus at the happy conclusion.

Ruddigore
Music by Arthur Sullivan
Libretto by William Gilbert
first produced in 1887
filmed for television in 1982
Cast: Sandra Dugdale, Ann Howard, Keith Mitchell, Vincent Price, John Treleaven,

Patience, or Bunthorne's Bride television production on DVD

What, ho! Another Gilbert and Sullivan production? I thought he had given up on them as out-dated, over-played, and uninspired? Well, sort of. While this production has a lot more to speak for it than the previous one of the series I encountered, The Mikado, I continue to look for a production of Gilbert & Sullivan that justifies my love of the genre.

One of the best things about G & S operettas are their ridiculously inspired Act One Finales, which seem to go on forever, involving every character and presenting twist after twist--both musically and in the storyline. Patience has one of the best Act One Finales, I think, and it's well presented here in a production that improves upon the staticness of the earlier production of the series I saw.

Part of the problem with this production may be the age of the cast. It's hard to believe Bunthorne or Grosvner as the apple of anyone's eye, when both performers are on the far side of 50. Even Sandra Dugdale, who enbodies the wide-eyed innocence and ample bosum of the title character, is a little long in the tooth to portray the role. But her singing is the musical standout of the cast, so I'll forgive. Kudos to Anne Collins as Lady Jane for accompanying herself on the cello during her Act Two aria, although Ms. Collins' voice lacks a bit of the contralto heft that I wanted to hear.

Patience or Bunthorne's Bride
Music by Arthur Sullivan
Libretto by William Gilbert
Based on a production by the English National Opera directed by John Cox
Cast: Derek Hammond-Stroud, Sandra Dugdale, Anne Collins, John Fryatt