A Different Kind of Fairy Tale at The Questors
The Julian Light Operatic Society presents Iolanthe
Picture: The Julian Light Operatic Society
October 18, 2023
Gilbert & Sullivan’s comic opera Iolanthe is being staged in Ealing this week.
It will be the 100th main show ever performed by the Julian Light Operatic Society (JLOS) and marks a return to its first ever production, which was also Iolanthe, in 1949.
It tells the story of a group of strange and mysterious sprites who hide their fugitives at the bottom of streams, use their magic to manipulate governments and threaten death to all who disobey their laws. They find easy pickings in the hapless inhabitants of the House of Lords....
Iolanthe is set 25 years after fairy Iolanthe committed the ultimate crime: marrying a mortal. Her half-human, half-fairy son now wishes to marry a mortal – a act punishable by death – leaving Iolanthe and her fairy friends no choice but to challenge the law.
There will be four performances in the Judi Dench Playhouse at The Questors Theatre from Thursday 19 October to Saturday 21 October with three each evening at 7.45pm and a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.
Tickets can be purchased online and cost £20 with discounts for children and concessions.
The Show is now cast with the following principals:
Lord Chancellor - Paul Clarke
Earl Tolloller - Paul Garver
Strephon - Tom Dalton
Private Willis - Jeremy Lowe
Earl of Mountararat - Stephen Roe
Queen of the Fairies - Judith Thei
Iolanthe - Katie Paterson
Phyllis - Antonia Gentile
Celia - Sally Avery
Leila - Sunita Dugal
Fleta - Maureen Fitzpatrick-Browne
JLOS is an amateur operatic society based in Ealing which put on productions of Light operas or operetta predominantly those of Gilbert and Sullivan. The JLOS aims to preserve this great British tradition albeit updated for modern audiences. These productions are still, however, traditional in the sense that libretto and music remain essentially unaltered. It also occasionally performs other light operas of composers such as Strauss and Offenbach.
Students or musicians in the early stages of their careers are encouraged to take part in its orchestras where they can gain valuable experience and enjoyment while similar singers or indeed experienced professionals have been known to play principal parts.
Coming Up at The Questors
Dragon's Teeth by Shirland Quin is being performed in The Studio from 20-28 October. This play received its UK premiere at The Questors in 1933 and was the first production at the Mattock Lane site. After 90 years away the intention is to bring back this lost classic of experimental theatre to the stage.
Packed with prescient predictions about AI and drone warfare, the play explores one man’s doubts about the future and the ethics of his creations. Book now.
From 3-11 November in the Judi Dench Playhouse Albion by Mike Bartlett is being staged.
Grieving a tragic loss, a successful businesswoman moves to rural Oxfordshire to resurrect its once-famous gardens as a memorial to the fallen. But at what cost to the living - her family, her community, and herself? Book now.
Taking the Fear out of Shakespeare is a platform course that runs from 16 September to 21 October.
Replace your fear of Shakespeare in performances and auditions with a passion and love for rerforming it. This short course is designed for performers of all abilities. Book now.
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