Ros Hollands review of Iolanthe from the Swindon Evening Advertiser, Saturday 10 March 2012. Not available online so I quote the text below directly from the paper:
"REVIEW: Gilbert and Sullivan tale was fairy well done
SWINDON'S Gilbert and Sullivan society are performing again this week in the impressive venue of the hall in the Steam Museum.
Iolanthe is a satirical tale of peers, politics, snobbery, love, and Faerie-lore, as imagined by the Victorians.
Gilbert's lyrics are as clever as ever, if you like that kind of thing, and Sullivan's music delivers some moving, musical, moments.
Director Derek Hill and musical director Richard Abrams worked hard to pull a good cast together for this opeining night.
Karen Dacre mad a splendid Queen of the fairies, as did David Stephenson as Lord Chancellor. Their obvious G and S ability ran through their performances, including wonderful singing voices.
New kid on the 'blocks' Verity Doms did well as Phillis, the love interest of all and sundry and has a good future I'm sure as her confidence on stage increases. Strephon was played admirably by Tom Mullins. I just wish he had smiled sometimes.
Comedy came in the guise of Alan Fryer as Earl Mountararat and Rob Burbidge as Earl Tolloller, who, stalwart that he is, overcame a dreaded lurgy of the throat on the night. Well done guys.
Iolanthe was beautifully played by Imogen Elnwick.
I'm not sure this is my favourite G&S production - but all in all, principles, chorus, orchestra, lighting, sound, set design and costume was once again to the standard we have come to expect from this company.
I'm sure that - like me - the audience skipped out of Steam singing the tunes and looking forward to the next offering from Swindon's G and S Society."