THE National Company’s spritely Iolanthe was the last of five new productions presented at this year’s Gilbert and Sullivan festival in Harrogate.

Director Vivian Coates played it safe in terms of production design, but in a performance so musically and dramatically polished, there was little need for breaking with tradition.

Newcomer James Hendry’s exuberant conducting commanded precision and flare from the outset, but at times, the vocalists were slightly overpowered by the enthusiasm of the orchestra. The fairies’ opening ballet laid the foundations for an enthralling show, and Mary MacDonagh’s clever choreography was delivered to spellbinding effect throughout by the two choruses.

Jennifer Parker was an endearing Iolanthe, and her duet with Bradley Travis (as Strephon) was a highlight of the first act. Gaynor Keeble was well cast as an august Queen of the Fairies, and Rosanna Harris’ bright soprano was becoming of the role of Phyllis. 

The wonderfully balanced Peers chorus did justice to the exaggerated pomp of "Loudly let the trumpet bray" and "When Britain really ruled the waves".

In Act II, the political witticisms of Private Willis’ Song were updated for contemporary satirical tastes, and the number was conveyed with comic authority by Matthew Siveter. Enjoyable, too, was Richard Gauntlett’s impressively pattered execution of the Vice Chancellor’s ‘Nightmare Song’.

The company’s artistic director, Ian Smith, had referred to Iolanthe in his opening remarks as "the greatest Gilbert and Sullivan show on earth". The enduring and extensive popularity of this beloved work is little wonder when such adept and charismatic renderings are still being produced today.

Review by Charlotte Armstrong