The Gondoliers, or The King of Barataria

The Gondoliers, or The King of Barataria is a Savoy Opera by librettist W.S. Gilbert (1836–1911)[1] and the composer Arthur Sullivan (1842–1900)[2]

Popularly known simply as The Gondoliers.

The original text

The play premiered at the Savoy Theatre, London, on 7 December 1889 and closed on 30 June 1891.

Performance history in South Africa

1902-3: Performed in South Africa by the visiting D'Oyly Carte Opera Company as part of their repertoire of Gilbert and Sullivan works, presented over the course of two seasons.

December 1904: Presented by Mr and Mrs Philip Suckling at the Port Elizabeth Opera House. Starring J C Carden as The Duke of Plaza-Toro, A E Marks as Luis, Jas Walker as Don Alhambra, Alfred Griffiths, Philip Suckling, Dr T P Oates, Jack Daly, J C H Brincker, Guy Smith, Rosalie Hirsch, Ethel Dowsett Eileen O'Brien, Rosina Kennedy, Ellie Nash and Miss C Whitehead.

November 30, 1905: Presented by Mr and Mrs Philip Suckling and the Port Elizabeth Amateurs at the Port Elizabeth Opera House. Starring J C Carden (Duke of Plaza-Toro), Alfred Edmund Marks (Luis, the Duke's assistant), Jas Walker (Dos Alhambra del Bolero, the Grand Inquisitor), Alfred Griffiths (Gondolier Marco Palmieri), Philip Suckling (Gondolier Guiseppe Palmieri), Dr T P Oates (Gondolier Antonio), Jack Daly (Gondolier Francesco), J C H Brincker (Gondolier Giorgio), Guy Smith (Gondolier Annibale), Miss Rosalie Hirsch (Duchess of Plaza-Toro), Miss Ethel Dowsett (Casdilda, the Duchess' daughter), Miss Eileen O'Brien (Gianetta), Mrs Philip Suckling (Tessa), Miss Rosina Kennedy (Flametta), Miss Ellie Nash (Victoria), Miss C Whitehead (Guilia), Miss Lily Messina (Inez, the King's foster mother). The chorus of Contadina: Misses Bryan, Trinder, Smith, Greener, B Nash, M Pringle, N Pringle, Clarke, J Boland, Allison, E Clayton, H Clayton, Yateman, and K Wegg. Chorus of Gondoliers: Men-at-Arms, Heralds, and Pages: Messrs Hirsch, Harold Smith, Selfe, Hembry, Bonson, Dreyer, Custard, Sparkman, Donaldson, and Kennedy. The orchestra was under Mr A B Stark. Limelight effects by Fred Alcock.

1937: Staged by the Port Elizabeth Gilbert & Sullivan Society

1944: Staged by the Port Elizabeth Gilbert & Sullivan Society

1949 On September 2 the Uitenhage Amateur Dramatic and Musical Society staged the show. Directed by the Betensons. Lead actors included Elise van Heerden as Gianetta, Mrs Preddy as Tessa, Roy Haywood as Casilda, Winnie Flint as Duchess of Plaza Tora. Also starring R W Betenson, Bob Owen, Peter Elliot, Bert Shaw and Jurgen Smith.

1949: Staged by the Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society

1952: Staged by the Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society

1954: Staged by the Port Elizabeth Gilbert & Sullivan Society

1956: Staged by the Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society

1963: Staged by the Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society

1964: Staged by the Port Elizabeth Gilbert & Sullivan Society

1969: Staged by the Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society

1972: Staged by the Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society

1974: Staged by the Port Elizabeth Gilbert & Sullivan Society as part of the Collegiate Centenary Celebrations. Produced by Noel Morgan with Musical Director John Ashton Jones and choreographer Bennie Gerber at the Port Elizabeth Opera House from April 25 to May 4, 1974. Set design by Alex Kiddie. The Gala performance was attended by the State President and Mrs Fouche. Starring Joyce Lewis as Fiametta, Peter Southey as Antonio, Bruce Lochtie as Marco Palmieri, Carol Owen as Tessa, Rosemary Mayhew as Gianetta, Leslie Speyer as Luiz, Selwyn-Sue Conyers as Casilda, Harry Owen as Duke of Plaza-Toro, Barbara Nuttall as Duchess of Plaza-Toro, George Loopuyt as Don Alhambra Del Bolero (the Grand Inquisitor), Dorothy Anderson as Inez and Michael Molyneaux as Cast Understudy.

1975: Staged by the Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society

1981: Staged by the Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society

1989: Staged by the Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society

1991: A student production was staged from 24 September to 5 October at the Wits Theatre by the School of Dramatic Arts, BADA (according to the programme of the production). Produced by the University of the Witwatersrand's School of Music, Performing Arts Administration and 'endowed' by the JODS Trust. Directed by Conrad Haikes. Set designed by Robert Joseph. Costume design by Paul Roumanoff. Wits orchestra conducted by Professor Walter Mony. Vocal supervision by Joyce Barker. Choreography by Wally Green. Stage manager: Candy Barrett. Cast: The Duke of Plaza Toro, a grandee of Spain - David White Luiz, his attendant - Charles Kusner Don Alhambra de Bolero, the Grand Inquisitor - David Horsfall Marco Palmieri - Rodney Sandwith Giuseppe Palmieri - Adam Kirkaldy; Steven Dippenaar Antonio (Gondoliers) - Jacques Jacobs Franceso - Andrew Thackwray Giorgio - Nico Smith Annibale - Robin Brady The Duchess of Plaza Toro - Ronel Brand; Marilyx Stafford-Meyer Casilda, her daugther - Jessica Chalmers; Gaby Joseph Gianetta - Alice Rajuili; Barbara Shapiro Tessa (Contadine) - Natalie Lotkin; Orna Shifren Fiametta - Deena Isserow Vittoria - Nicky Venter Giulia - Beverley Chettoa Inez, the King's Foster Mother - Marilyx Stafford-Meyer; Nicky Restall. Other performers were Members of the Company: The above plus Janet Archbell, Karina Constantine, Dianne Egerton, Dena Kopenhager, [Dianne van der Westhuizen]], Catherine Wilmot, Tony de Beer, Lomon de Jager and Bruce Gearing.

2007: Staged by the Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society

Translations and adaptations

Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gondoliers

Eastern Province Herald, December 1, 1905.

Eastern Province Herald, November 23, 1904.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._S._Gilbert

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Sullivan

D.C. Boonzaier, 1932. "My playgoing days – 30 years in the history of the Cape Town stage", in SA Review, 9 March and 24 August 1932. (Reprinted in Bosman 1980: pp. 374-439.)

F.C.L. Bosman, 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1916. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp. 301, 405, 410, 413.

Theatre Programme of Wits student production in 1991.

Go to ESAT Bibliography