Trial by Jury
★★★★☆ Spritely
Paradise in Augustines (Venue 152): Mon 19 – Sun 25 Aug 2024
Review by Rebecca Mahar
Cat-Like Tread presents a spritely rendition of Gilbert & Sullivan’s one-act comic opera, Trial by Jury that entirely fulfils its brief: light, fun, and more than a little ridiculous.
An early collaboration between the now-legendary composer and librettist, Trial by Jury sets up some of the elements that will become synonymous with Gilbert & Sullivan works: an absurd plot treated seriously by its inhabitants, satire on both the types of people its characters represent and a bit on opera itself, and cramming an incredible number of words into its songs.
Emma Lawson as Angelina. Pic: Roland Smyth
When bride-to-be Angelina is jilted at the altar, she sues fiancé Edwin (Alex Gunn) for breach of promise, a serious crime at the time G&S were writing.
After an original opening scene depicting Angelina’s extended journey to her ill-fated wedding (conceived by directors Rae Lomond and Sarah Witty, arranged by musical director Lindsey Cotter and AMD Tom Paton), the entire ensemble gallops along to the courtroom, to serve as jurors, counsel, random spectators, familial hangers-on, and of course the judge. Each party is given a chance to present their case— and it wouldn’t be a Gilbert & Sullivan property if the verdict wasn’t something unexpected.
Cat-Like Tread make great use of their props and set elements, utilising Flinstones-style set pieces to represent cars and buses (constructed by Neil Lawson and Emma Lawson), and a suite of the black IKEA stools that seem to be the favourite of every grassroots company at this year’s Fringe. Easily moveable and cleverly choreographed, the set flexes with the ensemble as they move about the stage like a school of fish being chased by the score.
slightly hollow tone
Universally, the ensemble are something to watch: each member brings their own distinct character to the room, while maintaining the unity that the energetic music requires. The only weak point of the ensemble is their slightly hollow tone, as if at some stage in rehearsal someone told them they were singing too loudly, and they’ve swallowed a third of their sound. They could easily fill the Sanctuary in Augustines— hopefully in future performances they will.
Members of the jury. Pic: Roland Smyth
Background bits enliven every corner of the stage without detracting from the main action: one of the jurors (Neil McCallum) hiding behind the screen that defines the jury box, the clerk of court (Gilliam Tait) having pizza delivered, Angelina taking selfies with the judge.
Angelina, who appears to be something of an influencer in this modern adaptation, is played with sly, flouncing precision by Emma Lawson, whose voice makes one wish she got to sing more in this operetta that is, ostensibly, about her— but we can blame Gilbert & Sullivan for that. Her bridal party, featuring Caroline Hood as first bridesmaid, cluster around her offering photography and moral support.
admirable rendition
As the Learned Judge, Scott Thomson gives an admirable rendition of the ancestor of the ultimate patter song (Modern Major-General) in When I, good friends, was call’d to the bar. He is joined in the courtroom by Laurie Cameron-Back as Counsel for the Plaintiff, transforming a traditionally baritone role. While crisp and commanding, she is a bit quiet and challenging to hear from the upper rows.
As the put-upon usher, Tom Paton tries (and repeatedly fails) to control the rowdy courtroom, giving a strong comic and vocal performance in all but the lowest of his notes. In another featured part, Jury Foreman Matt Sielewicz-Stanhope steps out of the box to make an amusing but futile attempt at flattering Angelina.
Complete with beautifully coordinated costumes by Rachel Allan and simple but cute lighting moments (particularly a bit involving differently coloured phone screens), Trial by Jury comes together in a boisterous, well-produced one-act sure to delight both fans of Gilbert & Sullivan and those encountering Savoy Opera for the first time.
Running time: 45 minutes (no interval)
Paradise in Augustines (Sanctuary), 41 George IV Bridge EH1 1EL (Venue 152)
Monday 19 – Sunday 25 August 2024
Daily: 7 pm
Details and tickets at: Book here
Website: www.catliketread.com
Facebook: @CatLikeTread
Instagram: @catliketread
X: @CatLikeTheatre
Scott Thomson (The Learned Judge in red hat) with Tom Patton (Usher in red jumper), Laurie Cameron-Back (Counsel for the Plaintiff in barrister wig) and various Jury members. Pic: Roland Smyth.
ENDS
