Yeomen of the Guard - I Have a Song to Sing, O!

[rg56765y]

You try making twenty Beefeater costumes.

[grimalover]

I say keep Gilbert and sullivan as it was written with the proper costumes.

[dmnemaine]

It makes no sense to set this opera in anything but 16th Century England. There are too many references in the libretto to that time period to ignore it. Why do directors/artistic directors think they have to somehow improve or "update" classic works of art? They're classic for a reason. "Yeomen" works perfectly well in its proper setting. Changing it is needless and distracting.

[bujurpb]

@dmnemaine

There are plenty of valid reasons for updating G&S...

1. Cost of costumes

2. Relevance to today's audience - some of the works were aimed specifically at Victorian audiences.

3. Attracting an audience - many people have seen the trad versions do often that they won't come out unless it offers something different

4. As long as the update works - they are fun to perform

5. It annoys people who confuse G&S with Shakespeare...

[dmnemaine]

@bujurpb,

The only really valid reason you listed was #1. #2-5 are irrelevant. People like G&S just fine as the period pieces they are meant to be. And as far as #1 goes, if you can't afford at least some semblance of authentic costumes, do a concert version and let those who can afford to do a full mounting do it.

[bujurpb]

@dmnemaine Why are 2 to 5 irrelevant? A local operatic society recently put on a very traditional version of Patience with superb costumes and attracted 44 people to the Saturday night performance, perhaps people don't like them as period pieces after all... Southampton try to save on costumes where possible - it means that we don't make big losses and can perform other shows. Your comment about leaving it to people who can afford it was just plain rude!

[scotjack]

Very well done indeed.

[londonbangkok]

@scotjack i agree , excellent version. This song make me cry almost even when it is happy at the beginning. Where do those legs of Elsie stop? Lovely looking lady!

[shelley497]

its rubbish 

[EIDOSeidos]

This Savoy opera has an extra dimension that the others don't have. When Elsie leaves Jack at the end, there should not be a dry eye in the house. This scene 'puts the rabbit in the hat' for that final scene. W.S. Gilbert understood woman's heart very well IMHO: of course Jack could never compete with Fairfax. A brilliantly engineered little opera, musically and psychologically.

[jabberwock01]

So many singers don't listen to their own words. It's a sad, poignant song - completely missed here.

[leoseries]

Jabberwock. This is how it should be sung in this scene! Jack and Elsie are clownish entertainers who sing the song to amuse the crowd. It only becomes tragic in the final scene when Jack is heartbroken at the loss of Elsie. He then sings it with the true pathos it deserves.

Such a contrast is essential.

[thejameslehman]

leoseries is my hero.^^

[purplepointeshuz]

clever costuming idea, at first it looked almost like Kiss me, Kate, or 42nd Street

[cuddlyable3]

Victorian era costumes for such a large cast would have been expensive. This is a very good performance.

[analogyman]

Bravo! Delightful!

Thank you for posting this on YouTube!

[jonathanbirchley]

All the hallmarks of amateur G&S, but none the worse for that. This is an Elsie Maynard to die for!

[TheMcLush]

Stunning voices.

Give us more!

[sopranokate]

WHAT is Elsie wearing!! looks like something out of Cabaret?! I can see this isnt a traditional production, unless of course they are supposed to be wearing "costumes", being jesters and all? still, doesnt match Elsie as a character.

[Bfdidc]

According to the intro, this version was set in the 1920s so the "Cabaret" look would be fitting.

[madwebby28]

Thanks for sharing. I saw this a couple of weeks ago at Minack Theatre - But I think this version looks and sounds much better

[jyoung78]

Not bad, not bad at all!