Iolanthe - July 2023
1st & 2nd July 2023, Royal Hippodrome Theatre Eastbourne, 2.30pm & 8.15pm
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Fairies and Lords come head to head in this musical comedy with a fantastical twist.
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Iolanthe is an exiled fairy, banished for 25 years by the fairy queen, for marrying a mortal - a crime under fairy law. Her half-fairy son, Strephon, is in love with Phyllis, but she is the ward of the Lord Chancellor. When Strephon becomes a member of Parliament, and the fairies infiltrate the House of Lords, the world of politics is thrown into disarray.
Can the two sides be reconciled? Will Phyllis and Strephon find their happily ever after? What will be Iolanthe's fate? Don't miss this joyous, and still rather topical, political satire!
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Production Team
Helen Halliday - Director
After studying Acting and Musical Theatre at Guildford School Of Acting, Helen
performed professionally across the country. She returned to GSA as assistant Head of Music running specialist voice clinics and was Musical Director for several productions.
After teaching acting, singing and movement at various stage schools, she became Head of Drama at Mayfield School. Here she directed and MD’d productions as well as continuing to direct for local companies. She now directs professionally across the country as well as writing plays – all of which have been performed - and music. She runs courses and workshops in Acting and Directing.
We are delighted to be welcoming Helen To Eastbourne G&S for her first show with us.
Russell Ablewhite - Musical Director
Trained at the Royal College of Music as a junior exhibitioner and then at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall, Russell has worked as a professional opera singer for the last thirty five years or so.
As well as principal roles in regional companies all over the UK he has sung regularly as a freelance chorister with the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, English National Opera and The Dutch Radio Choir. As a member of London Voices and European Voices he has performed many concerts including proms and performed on the soundtracks of a large number of films that include Lord of the Rings and Star Wars.
Russell has been MD for our last two shows (The Pirates of Penzance and Ruddygore), and was assistant MD/accompanist before that.
Company
Principals
Iolanthe - Alison King
The Lord Chancellor - Paul Eccles
Phyllis - Lucy Sarsfield
Strephon - Benjamin Craven
Queen of the Fairies - Rebecca Hughes
Lord Mountararat - Nigel Lawton
Lord Tolloller - Wendy Dovey
Private Willis - Ian Charlesworth
Celia - Rowan Stanfield
Fleta - Katie Miller
Leila - Melody Westcott
Lord Chancellor's Page - Chloe Goatcher
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Fairy Ensemble
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Lailani Sargent
Lottie Childers
Louisa Dale
Margot Miller
Pam Cross
Sue Davies
Susan DeBlaney
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Peers Ensemble
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Colin Day
David Clifford
Michael Bale
Patrick Birdsall
Paul Bailey-Smith
Peter Tucknott
Tim Gordon
Trevor Allen