Ruddygore 2018

Show poster from Ruddygore 2018, designed by Jamie Hizzett and Tim Lutton

Ruddigore, or 'Ruddygore' (as it was originally spelled and, thus, adopted as the title of this production) was performed in the Annex Theatre on 14th-17th February 2018. The score was adapted by Isaac Treuherz for a folk band, with the set and costumes following this folkish aesthetic, with vines and flowers in abundance.

About the Show

The show was a 'folksy rehashing' of Gilbert and Sullivan's Ruddygore. With an air of folk instrumentation, we built upon a woodland concept and a rejuvenated score to tell this funny, satirical and - at times - tender story. From the outset, we wanted this production to be new, to reimagine the characters, story and music, to update it and see what elements edure and which adapt. To realise this change, we not only incorporated traditional folk instrumentation, but the music was tweaked to facilitate this change, taking influence from the rhythms and structures of classic jigs and polkas. Adding to this theme, we fused elements of traditional highland and ceilidh dances to give the music and story a fresh avenue through which to breathe and express a sense of history and community so prevalent throughout the story.

We also examined the characters, their motivations and interpretations and discovered interesting insights into their thoughts and wants, the stories they tell. A major change in terms of the characters was gender swapping the character of Dick Dauntless to 'Fanny Fearless', played by Abby Pardoe, which opened up new avenues of interpretation. Moreover, the chorus was reworked so there was a full SATB chorus in both Act I and II, allowing for not only more harmony options, but also the inclusion of village men in the bridesmaid songs and female baronets in the Ghost songs.

Photo Gallery

• Photos
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  The full company

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  The ghosts in Act II

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  The Ruddygore morris-dancing chorus

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  Philip Needle and Billy Boulton as Ruthven Murgatroyd and Old Adam

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  Ella Sabine as Dame Hannah

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  The chorus of bridesmaids

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  David Child chastising Phil for not creating a poll

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  The lesbian threesome Gilbert intended

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  The Act I finale

Production Team

Role	Name
Director	Lucy Rose
Assistant Director/Choreographer	Michelle McInnes
Choreographer	Owain Boorman
Musical Director	Isaac Treuherz
Musical Director	Hannah Parsons
Musical Director	Liam Chan
Producer	Tim Lutton
Producer	Jamie Hizzet
Costumes	Delyth Simons
Costumes	Eris Perring
Makeup Artist	Charlie Dawkins

Cast

Role	Name
Robin Oakapple	Philip Needle
Rose Maybud	Bridie Strachan
Mad Margaret	Jesse McCabe
Sir Despard	David Child
Dame Hannah	Ella Sabine
Fanny Fearless	Abby Pardoe
Sir Roderic	Richard Kille
Old Adam	Billy Boulton
Zorah	Amber Courage
Ruth	Rhona Graham
Chorus	Andrew Rose
Chorus	Annabelle Sessions
Chorus	Dan Williams-Brown
Chorus	Dom Navikas
Chorus	Doreen Zhou
Chorus	Eris Perring
Chorus	Katie Giles
Chorus	Luke Comerford
Chorus	Martha Fooks
Chorus	Megan Warinton
Chorus	Michelle McInnes
Chorus	Nadia Fundell
Chorus	Pete Alexander
Chorus	Tim Lutton
Chorus	Tori Arnold
Chorus	Zhili Hao

Crew

Role	Name
Technical Director	Edmund King
Assistant Technical Director	Kit Grange
Lighting	Jason Garde
Lighting	George Smith
Sound	Will Barber

Band

Role	Name
Conductor	Isaac Treuherz
Guitar	Hannah Parsons
Fiddle	Doug Morgan
Cello	Alice Paine
Double Bass	Ross Millar
Tin Whistle/Oboe	Chris Hartland
Recorder	Natasha Bennetts, (Oliver Downer), (Grace Timby)
Bodhran	James Atkins

Committee

Role	Name
Chair	David Child
Secretary	Amber Courage
Treasurer	Michelle McInnes
Publicity Officer	Isaac Treuherz
Publicity Officer	Nadia Fundell
Social Secretary	Philip Needle
Webmaster	Renata Stella
Loremaster	Billy Boulton
Ordinary Member	Megan Warinton