Interludes

VIEWPOINTS – A pair of loving revivals of Victorian-era works charm audiences over the holidays: THE MIKADO & LONDON ASSURANCE

• By drediman
• January 5, 2020
• No Comments

Also over the holidays, two loving revivals of arguably archaic 19th century British works charmed New York audiences.

The company of NYGASP’s new production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Mikado” at the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College. Photo by William Reynolds.

First in line was The New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players’ new production of The Mikado (RECOMMENDED) at the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College. There’s no getting around the 1885 operetta’s problematic racial stereotyping of Asian culture (particularly of the Japanese). The main reason, however, to revisit the work is to to have audiences experience the delicious Gilbert and Sullivan score – one of their strongest, for sure – and the folks at NYGASP have lavished it with a very good full-scale rendition, thanks largely to the buoyant playing in the pit (kudos to conductor Albert Bergeret). Director/choreographer David Auxier-Loyola has smartly opted to use an updated version of the libretto, which frames the absurd throwaway plot with show’s inception by the creators. The director has also costumed his cast in hybrid Victorian/Asian garb, drawing stronger parallels to 19th century British society rather than presenting a literal visual interpretation of the proceedings. Speaking of the cast, they were never less than winning – if not totally consistent in performance level – throwing themselves into their characters with aplomb. Particularly successful were David Auxier-Loyola’s Gilbert/Pish-Tush and David Macaluso’s Arthur Sullivan/Ko-Ko.

The company of Irish Rep’s revival of “London Assurance” by Dion Boucicault. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

Then, currently down at the Irish Repertory Theater, a revival of Dion Boucicault’s 1841 comedy London Assurance (RECOMMENDED) is similarly charming fans of Victorian-era theater. I had only heard about the storied play, so I was eager to see what the fuss was all about. The play is essentially a farce, chock full of comic misunderstandings, delectable double-entendres, and sneaky trickery. It’s hard to fathom how a play that’s just about 180 years old can be consistently entertaining to contemporary audiences. Irish Rep’s handsomely-designed revival – directed by company co-founder Charlotte Moore – just about manages to do just that by playing the comedy fast and loose. Indeed, the staging’s pacing steamrolls through play, getting plenty of laughs along the way but at the slight consequence to any meaningful storytelling and character development. But make no mistake, much frothy fun is to be had, both by the attendees and cast alike. Leading the the company are top-notch, superbly-pitched performances from Colin McPhillamy as Sir Harcourt Courtly and Rachel Pickup as Lady Gay Spanker; both exude masterful comedic timing and magnetic stage presence that make this revival of London Assurance an audience favorite.

THE MIKADO
Operetta
The New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players / Kaye Playhouse
3 hours, 15 minutes (with one intermission)
Through January 5

LONDON ASSURANCE
Off-Broadway, Play
Irish Repertory Theatre
2 hours, 15 minutes (with one intermission)
Through January 26