Seattle G&S Society: Society has quite forsaken, Utopia Limited

The minstrel song from utopia limited performed by the Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society. This is from July 2009 which might help to explain the topical references.
Performers:
KING PARAMOUNT - Dave Ross
CAPTAIN FITZBATTLEAXE - Parker Albin
SIR BAILEY BARRE, QC, MP - Nathan Rodda
LORD DRAMALEIGH - Derek Hanson
MR. BLUSHINGTON - Phil Parham
MR. GOLDBURY - John Brookes
CAPTAIN SIR EDWARD CORCORAN, KCB - Wesley Aman

Lyrics: SONG -- King.
Society has quite forsaken all her wicked courses.
Which empties our police courts, and abolishes divorces.
Chorus: Divorce is nearly obsolete in England.
No tolerance we show to undeserving rank and splendour;
For the higher his position is, the greater the offender.
Chorus: That's a maxim that is prevalent in England.
No peeress at our drawing-room before the Presence passes
Who wouldn't be accepted by the lower middle-classes.
Each shady dame, whatever be her rank, is bowed out neatly.
Chorus: In short, this happy country has been Anglicized completely
It really is surprising
What a thorough Anglicizing
We have brought about--Utopia's quite another land;
In her enterprising movements,
She is England--with improvements,
Which we dutifully offer to our mother-land!

Our city we have beautified--we've done it willy-nilly--
And all that isn't Belgrave Square is Strand and Piccadilly.
Chorus: We haven't any slummeries in England!
The chamberlain our native stage has purged beyond a question.
Of "risky" situation and indelicate suggestion;
No piece is tolerated if it's costumed indiscreetly--
Chorus: In short this happy country has been Anglicized completely!
It really is surprising, etc.

Added Material:
King: (spoken) Ah, but gentlemen - of all the civilizing innovations you have so generously conferred upon us, none has been more successful than our new system of banking and investment; a model so elegant in its form and so precise in its function as to be the bedrock upon which all modern economies are destined to be established!
(singing)
Investors place their savings under our financial planning
With half to go to Freddie Mac, the other half to Fannie...
Chorus: A strategy invented back in England!
Each bond, indeed, is guaranteed by worthless loans and leases
All neatly signed by some young guy who once delivered pizzas,
Chorus: It's working like a miracle in England!
For all our politicians know just how to get elected:
Pretending not to care about the rich and well-connected!
The beauty of it is that should the upper class get greedy,
The money of the middle class just vanishes completely...
Chorus: Completely! Completely! It really is surprising etc.

We're ending unemployment, we're eliminating welfare
And now we plan to take a stand for universal healthcare!
Chorus: A strategy invented back in England!
The wise men said it wouldn't work, they warned us that in practice
A radical idea like that involves enormous taxes.
Chorus: It's working like a miracle in England!
In search of extra revenue I had a sudden notion
To call up the Americans halfway across the ocean
And thus today, I may announce, we've won a small concession,
A contract for assembly of the 787.
Chorus: 'ty seven, 'ty seven
It really is surprising etc.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Seattle Gilbert and Sullivan
• Utopia Limited
• Minstrel
• Opera
• Operetta
• Gilbert
• Sullivan

[begs54]

This was excellent!!!!! Have have seen so many productions of Utopia. Director's please take note. Do not fool with Gibert & Sullivan. If it's played straight it is a riot, such as this minstrel number. Never under estimate Gilbert's words & stage directions, nor Sullivans music,,,,,,

[supportme123]

Absolutely great performance - and Gilbert at his most trenchant

[ralphthatname]

Absolutely Fantastic! Please upload more!

[eclecticdufus]

Razor sharp timing! Dave's update verses are in the tradition, hilarious and all too relevant, hehe. One of the great items in the G&S canon.

[RossiniSoprano]

WONderful! I look forward to many more clips! I've shared this on Fb. Thanks, guys!