Kentwell Tickets (old)

Introduction

   'Patience' is one of the least performed of the G & S canon. It is a satire on the aesthetic movement of the 1870s when poets, painters and artists adopted what today we'd call very camp posturing.  Because this aesthetic movement is long dead, some producers fear that the satire may seem dated.  Yet we live in an age of extreme camp in the arts and it seems to me that the satire can bite as much today as it did when written. On the other hand we are very familiar today with the concept of women in numbers pining after an aesthete (as in Patience they do after the poet Bunthorne) as some throw themselves at today's pop stars. 

  It is sometimes claimed that Bunthorne, or his rival poet Grosvenor, were based upon Oscar Wilde. I rather think that Oscar, only at the start of his career when the Operetta was first performed, came to embody Bunthorne in life rather than the other way about. The original for the role is more likely to have been Swinburne.   The Operetta has always offered performers great scope by way of costume and effeteness and with so many modern entertainers making much of being camp, it should resonate.

Gilbert & Sullivan

William Gilbert enjoyed a high reputation in mid-Victorian London theatre as writer of successful sketches, comedies, pantomimes, burlesques and musicals. He wrote some of the cleverest and wittiest lyrics ever. Arthur Sullivan was a musical prodigy who composed much else including Onward Christian Soldiers and was at that time the most popular musician in England, as a conductor and composer of oratorios, anthems and hymns. They were introduced by the impresario Richard D'Oyly Carte and began to work together. They wrote 14 comic operas between 1871 and 1896. Gilbert cast and directed the works; Sullivan directed the music. 'Pirates' was their fifth collaboration and opened in London in 1880 and came when both were, and their collaboration was, at their artistic, and its peak.

Patience

This was their 6th collaboration and opened in London in 1881 and enjoyed a long initial run during which it trasnsferred to the Savoy Theatre and there enjoyed the distinction of being the first production ever to be lit by electricity.

The plot is as silly as any G & S plot.  It is not the plot that attracts but rather Gilbert's clever and witty lyrics and Sullivan's entrancing music.  In a nutshell two poets compete for the love of a milkmaid, Patience, while resisting the clamour of other doting women [see left some waiting for Bunthorne in an early production].  The poets are Bunthorne who at one stage reveals to Patience that he is aestheticism is a sham, and Grosvenor who is wholly committed. 

Though the Operetta lacks the memorable tunes of other G & S works it is full of delightful melodies.  We can look forward to some over-acting, doubtless some florid costumes and some fine singing and choruses in all of which SASP usually excel

The South Anglia Savoy Players

As the name implies they are a group of local singers - amateurs but distinguished by the high standards they maintain, their fine singing, huge casts, excellent choruses and wonderful costumes. They are acccompanied by a live Chamber Orchestra. Kentwell will host the production shortly before the company takes it into competition at the International G&S Festival at Buxton. The Company won the first competition in 1994 (with their then production of The Yeomen of the Guard) have won twice since, as well as being runners-up six times and winning numerous individual prizes. They have also taken productions to the Waterford Festival where they have also won on a record number of occasion.

After last year's perfprmance of The Pirates of Penzance which I and the audience so throughly enjoyed, I forecast a hatful of prizes at both festivals.  I was wrong! In competition, it proved to be one of the SASP's least successful productions. Those which prevailed muct have been amazing !

Where Performed

On the Cedar Lawn. There are bookable allocated Seats set on a raised platform which will be under cover. However two rows at the front will not be fully under cover (and are sold as not under cover).  Between these two rows and the stage area is an area of grass where Groundlings may sit (only on rugs and cushions, please - no raised seats permitted there).

Seats

Two Front Rows in front of the Stand NOT under cover

Raised Stand Seats under cover comprising three Front Rows and additional rows behind. The best views are at the front.  The most protected (from driving rain) at those behind.

Groundlings on the grass between the seats and the stage.  Bring your own rugs and cushions but no raised seats.

Tickets

On the night prices

Book online below

Or by telephone to enjoy discount prices. See below for today's discount prices which may vary from day to day.

Further there are group discounts for parties of 15 or more. For details call the Estate Office on 01787 310207

Weather

The performance will continue whatever the weather so bring suitable clothing for the likely conditions. However, DO NOT raise umbrellas during the performance. So warm or waterproof clothing and may be necessary.

Performance Timings

Gates Open at 6.15pm.  The performance starts at 7.00pm.  There will be one interval of about one hour.  The performance will end at approximately 11.00pm.

Catering

You may picnic anywhere in the Gardens except the stage and audience areas. You may begin your picnic before the show starts or during the one hour supper interval during which the Gardens will be floodlit.

Picnic Tables & Tents

We have available for hire a number of picnic tables with integral seating (for 2, 4, 6 & 8 persons). We also have a number of tents (small 8ft x 4ft, 10 ft Round and large 20ft x 12ft) which you may also hire erected.  These must be booked in advance. 

Kentwell Catering

Kentwell Theatre Buffet Suppers (£19.00 incl VAT for three courses including Coffee) served in the Undercroft Restaurant may be booked in advance. The first part of the meal is served before the performance starts, with the remainder served during the interval.