Review: Ruddigore, Opera North, Leeds Grand Theatre, Saturday 26th October 2024

Ruddigore was the least profitable Savoy opera for its authors and for impresario Richard D’Oyly Carte. Probably the reason WS Gilbert referred, at least in private, to his ghostly satire on Victorian melodrama as ‘Bloodygore’. After the original 1887 run of 288 performances at London’s Savoy Theatre, Ruddigore was dropped from the D’Oyly Carte Company’s repertory until 1922 - long after the deaths of WS Gilbert & Arthur Sullivan.

Sullivan’s vocal and orchestral score is replete with sparkling ensembles, whimsical songs, plus deliciously spooky wind and brass sonorities from the Orchestra of Opera North, conducted by Anthony Kraus. Gilbert’s rambling libretto on the other hand, shows signs of his own power on the wane.

Jo Davies’ exuberant 2010 production for Opera North overcomes the material shortcomings by dressing the stage with big, bold portrayals from the principal characters and an all singing and all dancing Chorus of Opera North. Zorah (Gillene Butterfield) and her eager Corps of Professional Bridesmaids -presumably on zero hours contracts- are the most persistent that you will ever come across.

Several principals from the 2010 cast return to their roles for the current run of eight performances in Leeds and on tour, directed for this revival, by James Hurley. Soprano Amy Freston reprises her portrayal of the simpering, virtuous Rose Maybud. Bass baritone Steven Page returns in stentorian form as the Ghost of Sir Roderick Murgatroyd who steps out of his picture frame to be reunited with ‘Little Nannikins’ - Claire Pascoe’s tough but tender Dame Hannah.

Several newcomers to the cast deliver the most convincing all round vocal and dramatic performances: Baritone Dominic Sedgewick as Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd/Robin Oakapple, is a suitably rugged romantic hero turned villain. Tenor Xavier Hetherington sings with crystalline clarity and dances a mean Hornpipe as the mariner Richard Dauntless. I do not forget John Savournin’s charismatic Sir Despard Murgatroyd in sinister whiteface make-up, Helen Évora’s butterfly-like Mad Margaret, or Henry Waddington’s mournful Adam Goodheart.

Richard Hudson’s lavish staging with a charming seaside view of the fictional Cornish village of Rederring and the Gothic Picture Gallery of the Bad Baronets of Ruddigore is a visual feast. Ruddigore continues at Leeds Grand on 30th October, 1st & 2nd November and it is great fun.