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G&S at the Zoo, Bournemouth Gilbert & Sullivan Operatic Society, Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne

OVER the years BG&SOS has flirted with music by other composers, but this year’s concert finds the society sticking to what it does best, and proving that its best is very good indeed.

Part of the evening features selections from The Yeomen of the Guard, The Pirates of Penzance, Ruddigore, Utopia Ltd., Iolanthe, The Mikado and The Gondoliers, all cleverly staged by director Claire Camble-Hutchins – I particularly loved the novel approach to denoting each opera – and well sung thanks to musical director Jean Holt, although the unaccompanied chorus Eagle High did seem a little ragged.

However, the highlight is, without a doubt, The Zoo, a rarely aired ‘musical folly’ by Sullivan and Bolton Rowe. The story, which concerns a near-suicide, mixed up medication, a duke in disguise and, of course, true love, is perfectly charming and is superbly performed by both chorus and principals – Jemma Truss (Laetitia), Cathy Murray (Eliza), Tom Arnold-Haynes (Aesculapius), Ian Metcalfe (Thomas Brown) and Mike Griffiths (Mr Grinder) – and here too the direction showed originality and flair in spades.

Fear not if you missed it – the show is repeated at The Hub, Verwood (May 9) and at the Barrington Theatre, Ferndown (May 10).

Linda Kirkman

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