Scottish Opera delivers a gleefully cynical goodie bag of the old and new in this double bill of operettas – Gilbert & Sullivan's Trial by Jury and the brand-new A Matter of Misconduct!
Reminiscent of The Thick of It, but raunchier, and with added cynicism
Celebrating 150 years since Trial by Jury became G&S's first hit, director John Savournin sets the trial within a reality TV show, complete with ‘Applause’ and ‘Boo’ lights. This works seamlessly with the camp humour of the piece.
The jilted bride Angelina, still in her wedding dress, is suing her ex-betrothed for all she can get. The jilter, Edwin, suggests he marry Angelina – plus his new love. The Judge’s legal expertise is such that he accepts this solution – until the plaintiff’s counsel points out that bigamy is a crime.
Richard Suart squeezes every comedy pip as the flattery-loving, roguish Judge, while Jamie MacDougall’s Edwin sings beautifully with wit and clarity. The major role of the Usher is sung and acted commandingly by Scottish Opera Emerging Artist Edward Jowle.
No potential joke goes unexploited. Highlights include the dancing bridesmaids (where did they get those dresses!), the judge’s mobile pulpit, and the ever-present stage business.
A Matter of Misconduct! is reminiscent of The Thick of It – but raunchier, and with added cynicism. Set in Downing Street, Roger Penistone is in the running for party leadership, but his Spad, Sandy Hogg, has got wind of breaking scandals: one involving Roger, and one involving his wife, Cherry – a ‘Poundshop Paltrow’ with a women’s wellness business.
Enter Sylvia Lawless of Lawless, Lawless, Lawless and Crook, who explains that mud doesn't stick if you're suitably rich, then tackles the scandals through denial, lawsuits, intimidation, and bribery.
Emma Jenkins’ libretto sparkles with raunchy rhymes, ingenious insults, and political misdemeanours that seem somehow familiar…
Toby Hession’s score is full of colour and interest – including a cool jazz section and a wonderful marriage duet that could be slotted into an uplifting Broadway musical. Hession (a former Scottish Opera Emerging Artist) also conducts both operas, leading an orchestra playing with clarity, brio, and a sense of fun.
Jamie MacDougall (unrecognisable from the first half) plays Sandy Hogg with superb comic belligerence. The double bill gives current Scottish Opera Emerging Artist singers a welcome opportunity to shine. Here, Ross Cumming shows his acting and singing chops as Penistone – moving from Johnsonian buffoonery through love song to meltdown – and he is well matched by Chloe Harris as Cherry. Lawless is played by Kira Kaplan, her charisma and coloratura making a dominating impact.
The plot has more holes than Swiss cheese, but Laura Attridge’s tight direction keeps momentum ticking like a Swiss watch.
