Ruddygore 2018
Ruddigore, or 'Ruddygore' (as it was originally spelled and, thus, adopted as the title of this production) was performed in the Annex Theatre on 14th-17th February 2018. The score was adapted by Isaac Treuherz for a folk band, with the set and costumes following this folkish aesthetic, with vines and flowers in abundance.
About the Show[edit]
The show was a 'folksy rehashing' of Gilbert and Sullivan's Ruddygore. With an air of folk instrumentation, we built upon a woodland concept and a rejuvenated score to tell this funny, satirical and - at times - tender story. From the outset, we wanted this production to be new, to reimagine the characters, story and music, to update it and see what elements edure and which adapt. To realise this change, we not only incorporated traditional folk instrumentation, but the music was tweaked to facilitate this change, taking influence from the rhythms and structures of classic jigs and polkas. Adding to this theme, we fused elements of traditional highland and ceilidh dances to give the music and story a fresh avenue through which to breathe and express a sense of history and community so prevalent throughout the story.
We also examined the characters, their motivations and interpretations and discovered interesting insights into their thoughts and wants, the stories they tell. A major change in terms of the characters was gender swapping the character of Dick Dauntless to 'Fanny Fearless', played by Abby Pardoe, which opened up new avenues of interpretation. Moreover, the chorus was reworked so there was a full SATB chorus in both Act I and II, allowing for not only more harmony options, but also the inclusion of village men in the bridesmaid songs and female baronets in the Ghost songs.
Photo Gallery[edit]
- Photos
The full company
The ghosts in Act II
The Ruddygore morris-dancing chorus
Philip Needle and Billy Boulton as Ruthven Murgatroyd and Old Adam
Ella Sabine as Dame Hannah
The chorus of bridesmaids
David Child chastising Phil for not creating a poll
The lesbian threesome Gilbert intended
The Act I finale
Production Team[edit]
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Director | Lucy Rose |
| Assistant Director/Choreographer | Michelle McInnes |
| Choreographer | Owain Boorman |
| Musical Director | Isaac Treuherz |
| Musical Director | Hannah Parsons |
| Musical Director | Liam Chan |
| Producer | Tim Lutton |
| Producer | Jamie Hizzett |
| Costumes | Tzofia R |
| Costumes | Eris Perring |
| Makeup Artist | Charlie Dawkins |
| Hair | Katie Giles |
Cast[edit]
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Robin Oakapple | Philip Needle |
| Rose Maybud | Bridie Strachan |
| Mad Margaret | Jesse Bean McCabe |
| Sir Despard | David Child |
| Dame Hannah | Ella Sabine |
| Fanny Fearless | Abby Pardoe |
| Sir Roderic | Richard Kille |
| Old Adam | Billy Boulton |
| Zorah | Amber Courage |
| Ruth | Rhona Graham |
| Chorus | Andrew Rose |
| Chorus | Annabelle Sessions |
| Chorus | Daniel Williams-Brown |
| Chorus | Dom Navikas |
| Chorus | Doreen Zhou |
| Chorus | Eris Perring |
| Chorus | Katie Giles |
| Chorus | Luke Comerford |
| Chorus | Martha Fooks |
| Chorus | Megan Warinton |
| Chorus | Michelle McInnes |
| Chorus | Nadia Fundell |
| Chorus | Pete Alexander |
| Chorus | Tim Lutton |
| Chorus | Tori Arnold |
| Chorus | Zhili Hao |
Crew[edit]
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Technical Director | Edmund King |
| Assistant Technical Director | Kit Grange |
| Lighting | Jason Garde |
| Lighting | George Smith |
| Sound | Will Barber |
Band[edit]
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Conductor | Isaac Treuherz |
| Guitar | Hannah Parsons |
| Fiddle | Doug Morgan |
| Cello | Alice Paine |
| Double Bass | Ross Millar |
| Tin Whistle/Oboe | Chris Hartland |
| Recorder | Natasha Bennetts, (Oliver Downer), (Grace Timby) |
| Bodhran | James Atkins |
Committee[edit]
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Chair | David Child |
| Secretary | Amber Courage |
| Treasurer | Michelle McInnes |
| Publicity Officer | Isaac Treuherz |
| Publicity Officer | Nadia Fundell |
| Social Secretary | Philip Needle |
| Webmaster | Renata Stella |
| Loremaster | Billy Boulton |
| Ordinary Member | Megan Warinton |