Tale of The Sorcerer

A renowned company of singers and comedians will present their new production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Sorcerer at Worthing’s Pavilion Theatre as part of their latest tour (Friday, June 10, 7.30pm).

Opera della Luna have earned themselves a reputation for touring inventive productions of Gilbert and Sullivan, Offenbach and Johann Strauss during the past 15 years. Their new production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s first success, The Sorcerer, moves the story from its quaint Victorian setting to sleepy rural Britain in the 1970s.

As the story unfolds, John Wellington Wells, a celebrated dealer in magic and spells, spreads chaos and havoc throughout the unsuspecting country village, when he places a powerful aphrodisiac in the village hall teapot. The resulting revelations are “a marvellous illusion, a terrible surprise!”

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Since its inception in 1994 Opera della Luna has become known for its original ensemble work. Led by artistic director Jeff Clarke, it takes its name from Haydn’s operatic setting of Goldoni’s farce Il Mondo Della Luna.

The company create new and innovative productions of musical theatre, comic opera and operetta in English. They have been praised for their performing style and launch two major tours each year to different areas of the country.

An unforeseen development of the company’s work began when a small “fun” production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance – as performed by an enthusiastic vicar and his parishioners – and entitled The Parson’s Pirates achieved something approaching cult status.

Three other G&S productions have followed – The Ghosts of Ruddigore, The Mikado, and HMS Pinafore all adapted for a cast of seven or eight and no chorus. All have achieved great success and have toured extensively.

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“The re-interpretation of old war horses into ensemble chamber pieces has become a hallmark of the company and we were the first company to perform The Merry Widow in this way – with the Lehar family’s blessing,” Jeff said.

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