The resurrected (briefly termed 'New') D'Oyly Carte company began operations in 1988 with two works, Iolanthe and Yeomen of the Guard. This was quickly followed by a second pair of excellent stagings - Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado. By the time of this week-long visit to Edinburgh, they had already held a successful London season at the Savoy, and those productions had been joined by a double-bill of Pinafore and Trial By Jury. It was the last four that were brought on the company's first visit to Edinburgh (they had previously travelled to Aberdeen with Mikado and Pirates).
The schedule for the week, commencing Monday 14 May, was: Mon Pirates; Tue Pirates; Wed Mikado; Thu Mikado; Fri Pinafore & Trial; Sat m & e Pinafore & Trial.
This production was given as the first part of a double-bill concluding with Trial By Jury. The performance was fresh and lively, though the set was perhaps the only major novelty in presentation - the stage floor was a giant Union Jack on a split level to represent the ship's two decks - a highly effective touch.
The text used showed some enterprise in opening out some cuts made either before the first night, or shortly after. The main benefit was to expand the role of the usually near-invisible cousin Hebe - she was originally a more significant character.
© Copyright Opera Scotland 2024
Site by SiteBuddha