Cardiff University Operatic Society presents Patience

Kathryn Robson, a 3rd year BMus student and Patience director, tells us about this upcoming production…

Whilst the beginning of March approaches, Cardiff University Operatic Society have been busy preparing ourselves for the opening night of this year’s main production, Gilbert and Sullivan’s Patience. Cast, crew and production team have been working tirelessly for months to bring what is promising to be a fun, ridiculous and hugely entertaining performance to light.

This will be the second Gilbert and Sullivan operetta that the Society will have performed, the first being The Mikado five years ago. Since then, productions have included the newly-commissioned Pride & Prejudice, Mozart’s The Magic Flute and, last year, Purcell’s The Fairy Queen. Since it is our 5th anniversary this year, it only makes sense for us to return to our roots!

Patience is an operetta in two acts, centred around the mockery of the aesthetic craze in the 19th century. Two poets, Bunthorne ‘the fleshy’ and Grosvenor ‘the idyllic’, are adored by love-sick maidens rapturously captivated by their aestheticism, much to the dismay of the dragoons, their ex-sweethearts! However, the two poets are both in love with Patience, a simple milk maid who cares nothing for poetry and comes to believe that love should be unselfish. With the two poets now competing to win the heart of Patience, who will be the victor? And who will be Bunthorne’s bride?

As with any Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, there is some tricky dialogue to tackle as well as the music. This in itself has been quite a challenge for our cast as they not only have to produce some fine singing, they also have to rediscover their acting abilities!

It’s been a rollercoaster of a few months, but thanks to an extremely hardworking cast and production team (as well as my housemates who have put up with a huge amount of my mad moments this semester!) we have a truly fantastic production on our hands.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Patience will be running from 11-12th March in Y Stiwdio, Cardiff University Students’ Union, 7.30pm. Tickets can be purchased at www.cardiffstudents.com.