Modes, please forgive the shameless plug.
After months of preparation, the Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Austin raises the curtain tonight on The Yeomen of the Guard. I have a sizable role in the show, and am about to chew my fingernails off in anticipation of getting out of the office and down to the theater.
Hope some of you can make it. The show runs this week and next week, from Thursday through Sunday. More details are available at www.gilbertsullivan.org.
I’ll be the guy dressed like Shrek.
I was so sure that my complimentary tickets would have arrived in the mail by now too! Maybe they’ll be in the mailbox when I get home. I think I’ll leave work early and go check.
My wife wants to know if they have improved the theater there at Travis HS since she went to school there in the 80’s?
I’ve no idea what it was like in the 80s, so I can’t really say. The accoustics aren’t the best and the dressing rooms are microscopic, particularly when you have a cast of 40+. But otherwise it seems to be a good venue. Last year’s production of Iolanthe, also staged at Travis HS, was one of the most successful shows in the company history, so it seems to working out for us so far!
Have fun. It’s one of my favourite G&S works. Tonight I’m doing the first of two incredibly cheesy Last Night of the Proms performances at the Opera House.
So, you’re Jack Point?
How did opening night go Kizarvexius?
No, sirrah. Jack Point is the fellow in the silly hat. I am cast as Master Wilfred Shadbolt, head jailer, assistant tormentor, and helpless ninny.
And do break a leg in your own show, cheesy or otherwise!
Technically, last night was our preview show. We gave away a lot of comp tickets that were good only for that performance, and ended up with a packed house of friendlies – who, despite a teensy problem with the air conditioning, gave every appearance of having enjoyed the show. They laughed at [DEL]all[/DEL] most of the jokes, laughed in quite a few places where we never anticipated (That was funny? Who knew?), applauded each song quite heartily, and dropped a tear or two at the finale. The general consensus among our cast is that it went extremely well indeed.
Eight more to go!
Excellent.
Ours was good too. We didn’t have anything particularly difficult to sing, and I doubt the audience would have noticed any mistakes anyway. They were determined to have fun (dressed up, waving flags etc).
First weekend down, and one to go. Better and better each time, I’m delighted to say. And now, if you don’t mind, I think I’ll go sink into a coma.
Did you get any reviews Kizarvexius?
One blog review that is short, to the point, but very positive: http://austin.metblogs.com/2010/06/14/yeomen-of-the-guard/.
The early buzz from our audiences has also been very enthusiastic. Last year’s Iolanthe was for more successful than anyone had anticipated, and ticket sales for Yeomen are pointing in the same direction.
While I’m enjoying my first free evenings in weeks, I’ll be ready and rearing to go when the curtain rises again tomorrow evening.
We had packed, enthusiastic houses with a lot of repeat visitors. You just can’t ask for more when you’re performing an obscure English opera that even many fans of the genre aren’t familiar with. Gotta love Austin audiences!
I had the immense honor of having several Brits from the audience tell me afterward that my accent was completely convincing. I can now chalk an item off of my theatrical bucket list.
Once the novelty of free time during the evening wears off, though, I know the post-show blues are going to kick in with a vengeance.
Buggery! I wish I’d seen this post before. I love Gilbert and Sullivan but I’ve never been able to see a proper show and I’m local to Austin.
When are you guys putting on another show?
Sorry you missed it, Little Plastic Ninja. We had a very successful run. Exhausted though I be, I’m sad to see it end.
Our society stages one grand production each summer. Yeomen was this year’s show. Smaller events – “musicales” – are held periodically throughout the year. These are usually revues (mostly G&S but not exclusively) with performances by society regulars and guests. Details are always posted in advance on our web site. Musicales are generally free of charge.