Iolanthe - Savoy Theatre 2002
Feb 02
RUPERT CHRISTIANSEN for THE DAILY TELEGRAPH says, "Martin Connor's production is broadly traditional, with nice colourful designs by Mark Bailey and a few harmless gags. The result is good, clean family fun." ANDREW CLEMENTS for THE GUARDIAN says, "Given that the basic concept is utterly predictable - a production of squeaky-clean naturalism, played strictly at surface level for straightforward laughs rather than attempting to delve into any of the murkier depths that Gilbert's texts certainly hold - then Martin Conner's staging, on Mark Bailey's sets done up in primary colours, does its job well." TOM SUTCLIFFE for THE EVENING STANDARD says, "Perfect self-conscious footwork is matched with just the right amount of playing up to the audience. Laughter starts early and never stops. But, in fact, the overture gets exactly the delicate expressive playing it deserves, and conductor John Owen Edwards manages that balance between relaxation and energy that ideally supports Gilbert's marvellously entertaining words." JOHN THAXTER for THE STAGE says, "Fine choral work matches brilliant movement for the flirtatious fairies and pompous peers, apparently informal but with breathtaking precision."
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