THE GONDOLIERS

This sunny show begins on the canals of Venice and ends on a Spanish island seashore. Two gondoliers have just married their sweethearts when they find that one of them is not who he thinks himself to be. At the same time a Spanish Duke and his family are trying to find the childhood bridegroom of their daughter. All the while the Grand Inquisitor of Spain is attempting, with mixed success, to influence proceedings in order to clear up a mess that he started twenty years ago. Gilbert’s plot is as twisting as ever, and Sullivan’s music glitters with songs such as “Take a pair of sparkling eyes”, “When a merry maiden marries” and “We’re called gondolieri”. The chorus observes the action with relish, all the way from Venice (“The merriest fellows are we”) to their final celebration as they “Dance a Cachucha”. Sullivan’s music is enhanced with the accompaniment of a 15-piece orchestra.