tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11336161.post7147296255915072820..comments2024-03-06T15:42:42.589+00:00Comments on Planet Hugill: Utopia Ltd in GreenwichAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05139360579883837086noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11336161.post-4418924440432572422012-11-08T10:59:10.289+00:002012-11-08T10:59:10.289+00:00Thanks for the preview of this production, which I...Thanks for the preview of this production, which I've directed. You're right about the opera's shortcomings, which are a shame because it contains many terrific standalone scenes - it's the way Gilbert strung them together that's the problem. This is why we've pruned a lot of the rambling dialogue and restructured the piece a little (based largely on Gilbert's early drafts) to make a more coherent narrative.<br /><br />This isn't an update or a 'reimagining' - we're just trying to show the piece off to its best advantage, away from the circumstances of its original production (worthy of a long article in themselves) which led to a weakening of the initial concept. It's still 98% Gilbert (and I love hearing his bizarrely prophetic satirical barbs get belly laughs from a modern audience, as happened often at yesterday's first night) and 100% Sullivan - and personally I'd say that the latter's on top form for about three-quarters of the score.<br /><br />Last night's audience lapped it up - four performances to go, so book now!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10591688647381737233noreply@blogger.com