REVIEW: The McAdo
By Gary Murray, volunteer theatre reviewer
Eastbourne Gilbert and Sullivan Society staged their annual production at the Hippodrome in Eastbourne last weekend. This year it was an adaptation of one of G&S’s best known light operas, The Mikado.
Originally set in Japan but a satire on English politics, in recent years this Japanese staging has been subject to much criticism, with accusations of cultural stereotyping.
To avoid this, the company chose to use an adaptation first performed in Austin, Texas, relocating the action to medieval Scotland and calling it The McAdo.
And it works well. There is no Highland whimsy, no hint of Bonnie Prince Charlie shortbread tins, not even a kilt (they weren’t invented yet). I’m not convinced we needed the villagers portraying local life with axes, cabers, and arm-wrestling during the overture but, after that, the setting serves the story well.
After a slightly nervous beginning the cast got into their stride, though sometimes they weren’t quite filling the large space of the Hippodrome and I’d say many felt more comfortable singing than acting.
"The production is to be admired and it was certainly a fun evening at the theatre"
But, with live musicians (who were excellent) accompanying the cast, it’s not easy to sing, act and watch the conductor to keep time.
There was a particularly strong performance from Paul Eccles as Coco, the Lord High Executioner. Here was a man who, having started out as a low-level criminal, can’t quite believe that he has been propelled to high office and still uses the guile and scheming which got him there.
Yvonne Lloyd fully inhabited the character Winn Somme with a crystal clear voice and an all-round strong performance.
Elsewhere, there was fine support from the rest of the cast. Perhaps the hardest job was that of Georgia Kyriacou – having to play a male character.
There is some good comedy to be had – I particularly like the scene where the McAdo himself (Paul Bailey-Smith) is relating the punishments decreed for a particular crime to Coco, Pubagh (Paul Debreczeny) and Pretty Jean (Tiffany Lynn).
Yes, some of the accents slid now and again, and I’d like to have seen some more interaction between the villagers, but overall the production is to be admired and it was certainly a fun evening at the theatre.
Eastbourne G&S Society is an important part of the Eastbourne arts scene, and long may it continue.
:: Gary Murray was a professional actor for 14 years in theatre, radio, TV and even a couple of operas. After many years on the tech side of the ticketing industry, he now works at Tech Resort and is a volunteer reviewer for Eastbourne Reporter
