Last performed by this society in 1998, Princess Ida is Gilbert & Sullivan's eighth collaboration and concerns a princess who founds a women's university and teaches that women are superior to men and should rule in their stead. We can’t argue with that. Unfortunately there are many (mostly men) who think they can, including the Princess Ida's betrothed and her family, a situation which sets up many dramatic and comical situations including cross-dressing and pitched battles, or cross-dressing pitched battles – we’re happy with either situation.
Written entirely in blank verse and unusually in three acts, Princess Ida contains some of Sullivan's most sublime music. We hope that you will enjoy seeing it as much as we will enjoy performing it.
We also welcome back to Swindon G&S Bob Hills as director (working alongside our long-suffering but well loved MD Richard Abrams) for Ida. Bob last directed the company's production of Patience in 2011 at STEAM, and we - as ever - look forward to his innovative ideas about this show.
We welcome Bob back and, if you'd like to be involved why not come along to Wroughton Workingmen's Club at 7:30pm on Tuesday 17th September, and then every following Tuesday.
Toi, toi, toi!