Naughty Marietta

The Operetta Company

Director: Allen Christey-Casson

Musical Director: Dr Robert Aston

 

This year the Operetta Company band of troubadours settled its camp in New Orleans for a show of intrigue, buccaneers and a runaway bride. The company’s semi-staged production told the romantic story of Captain Warrington, the self-confessed bachelor, and Marietta, a Contessa in disguise. The storyline is true operatic style enhanced by Victor Herbert’s beautiful score, one which includes many well-known songs.

 

Originally produced in New York, this operetta became Victor Herbert's greatest success. Set in New Orleans in 1780, it tells how Captain Richard Warrington is commissioned to unmask and capture a notorious French pirate calling himself 'Bras Pique' - and how he is helped and hindered by a high-spirited runaway Contessa Marietta. The score includes many well-known songs, the most notable being "Ah, Sweet Mystery Of life" which was sung by Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy in the popular film version.

 

Irene Hill, as narrator, charmingly conveyed the many twists and turns of this romanticised tale.  The chorus was dressed in black and seated behind the principals. The chorus was well disciplined and added colour to their singing. All the cast wore excellent costumes made by society member, Elsa McGhee.  A soupçon of lighting and sound lifted the proceedings.

 

The MD gave a sensitive reading of the score and conducted a fine orchestra with a special mention to the violinist. There was just enough movement on stage to strengthen characterisations.

 

A cast of eleven was well matched and included Steve Brennan, as Etienne, the pirate, Bras Pique, Paul Cohen, as Sir Harry Blake, and Enid Magenty who stepped in to cover the role of Florenze. The puppeteer Rudolpho, was played by Ken Rees. This role enabled Ken to show his character acting.

 

A comic subplot between servant Silas, who has lofty ambitions, and a casket girl, Lizette, was played out with interesting results by Tony Meehan and Jean Forrester. Discarded Adah, a slave, takes revenge on her ex-lover Etienne by revealing his true identity. Susan Bradley, as the quadroon slave, gave a reliable performance and a lovely rendering of “’Neath the Southern Moon”.

 

“Tramp! Tramp! Tramp! Along the highway” heralded the arrival of Captain Richard who had been commissioned to capture the notorious privateer, Bras Pique. On meeting Marietta his life changed and eventually he gave in to his love for her. Allen Christey-Casson scored a genuine success with the audience. All his rapturous songs were well received. In the title role was Clare Unsworth, a bright clear soprano whose energy fills the stage. Clare’s comic Italian accent, romantic episodes and duets with Allen, “We’ll Never Speak of Love and “Falling In Love With Someone”, were stylishly captured.

 

This was traditional operetta in which the Company gave the audience a wonderful evening of pure nostalgia.