Share This Article
Founded in 1961, the Sudbury Savoyards have been committed to producing the works of librettist W.S. Gilbert and composer Arthur Sullivan (aka Gilbert & Sullivan) “’on a grand scale,’ with a large chorus, a full orchestra, costumes, lighting, sound, and top-notch performers.” Gilbert & Sullivan wrote thirteen comic operas together, which the Savoyards produce in rotation.
This year’s production, Ruddigore, is their 61st, and the sixth of that show—it should be noted that some of the actors in this production have performed in all thirteen shows over the years—but as the director, Brianna Bensenouci, writes, “While it has been performed before, and will be performed again, the production of Ruddigore you are about to see is singular and will never exist this very way ever again. That’s pretty magical. Or is it scary? Probably both. Both is good.”
My review is based on viewing the dress rehearsal on Thursday night, so that it could appear in this week’s Sudbury Weekly. The Savoyards are one of Sudbury’s most valuable cultural assets, and it’s important to support their work, so that new generations can enjoy G&S’s witty librettos, beautiful music, and timeless stories. As far as I know, they are the only group to perform Gilbert and Sullivan in Massachusetts on a regular basis.
Ruddigore, Gilbert and Sullivan’s tenth collaboration, premiered in 1887, shortly after The Mikado, one of their most recognizable and successful works. Ruddigore is not nearly as musically memorable, and like many of their works, the story is a bit convoluted and requires a suspension of disbelief; its message of “love conquers all” remains irresistible.
In short, it’s a satirical take on Gothic melodrama. Robin Oakapple, a shy farmer, is secretly Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd, the rightful Baronet of Ruddigore. To escape the family curse, which dooms each baronet to commit a daily crime or suffer death, he has lived in hiding, leaving his younger brother, Sir Despard, to hold the title and carry out his daily bad deed—which he subsequently reverses by doing something good.
However, when Robin’s secret is exposed, he is forced to assume his title, right before his marriage to his love interest, Rose Maybud. Thanks to her support and that of his comically loyal and gleefully evil former servant, Old Adam, Robin finds a clever loophole to break the curse, leading to a joyful and absurdly logical resolution.
To this reviewer’s eye and ear, the dress rehearsal went off without a hitch, thanks to Stage Director Briana Bensenouci and the dedicated crew. The sets, although not quite up to Broadway standards, still create the feeling of a small town on the coast of Cornwall in England. The set in Act II is especially effective, featuring the interior of the Murgatroyd castle, complete with working fireplace and a wall of portraits of the Murgatroyd ancestors that magically come to life.
Lindsey Buccella as Rose Maybud is the star of the show, with her innocent voice and demeanor while frequently referring to a book on etiquette to help her behave properly. With her long blond hair and shining countenance, she is very much the picture of the virtuous heroine. She and David Smyth, who plays Robin Oakapple/Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd, make for a handsome couple. Smyth’s acting is very strong; his transformation from Robin to Ruthven is splendid.
Other performances of note: Ben Morse as Old Adam Goodheart, Robin/Ruthven’s loyal servant, was my favorite; Ben Oehlkers’ humorous performance as Richard Dauntless; Robin’s foster brother; rich baritone Lonnie Powell as Sir Roderic Murgatroyd; and the members of the Bridesmaids Union (you’ll have to see the show to find out what that means!), especially Clara Haymon as Zorah and a particularly beautiful solo by Carolyn Kelly Schwartz.
It’s worth mentioning that the Savoyards are committed “[…] not only to producing the works of Gilbert and Sullivan, but to a chorus and crew which is open to all who wish to participate,” so the main cast is backed by nearly a town full of singers, who all do a yeoman’s job. Aldo Fabrizi does an impressive job of conducting an accomplished orchestra.
Since the beginning, the Savoyards have raised money to fight hunger, so that’s another reason to see the show. Performances take place in the auditorium at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School on the following dates and times:
Saturday, February 22, 2025, 1:30 PM & 7:30 PM
Sunday, February 23, 2025, 1:30 PM
Friday, February 28, 2025, 7:30 PM
Saturday, March 1, 2025, 1:30 PM & 7:30 PM