This was our first visit to the ntl: studio at The Waterfront. We were delighted to see almost-full houses throughout the week.
Cast & Production Team | Photo Gallery | Gilbert & Sullivan
On the Piazzetta at Venice, country girls sit making posies of flowers for
the two gondoliers, Marco and Giuseppe, whom they all adore. When the other
gondoliers enter, the girls make it clear that only after Marco and Giuseppi
have each chosen a bride will the others marry. Marco and Giuseppe arrive by
gondola, and choose Tessa and Gianetta in an apparent game of chance. They leave
to be married.
Venice now sees the arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Plaza-Toro, their daughter, Casilda and their entire retinue (one drummer-boy!) to ascertain the whereabouts of the King of Barataria who was married to Casilda in infancy. Casilda, however, is secretly in love with Luiz, the drummer-boy. Luiz knows the unfortunate story of Casilda's marriage, as it was his mother, Inez, who had been given the infant prince to care for by the Grand Inquisitor of Spain, Don Alhambra del Bolero.
The Inquisitor is summoned to identify the Prince, only to explain that it
is definitely one of the two Gondoliers. Only Inez knows which of the two it
is, but she cannot be found. The bridegrooms return and are told they are to
go to reign jointly in Barataria without their wives. The fact of the marriage
to Casilda is tactfully omitted! The girls beg to go but Don Alhambra suggests
a short delay. The girls are excited that one of them will be a queen. The other
gondoliers are to be made courtiers and so they set sail for Barataria.
At the Court of Barataria, Marco and Giuseppe reign jointly while the courtiers enjoy themselves. Marco and Giuseppe find being a king is hard work but rewarding. Only one thing is lacking for perfect happiness - to be with their wives. As soon as wished for, all the girls arrive and after a joyful reunion, demand to know what it is like to be king.
A banquet and a dance are to be arranged in their honour, but the entrance
of Don Alhambra frightens everyone off. To the two men he explains that one
of them is already married to Casilda. Tessa and Gianetta overhear this and
are highly distressed, but Don Alhambra suggests calmness might be advisable.
The Duke and Duchess, splendidly dressed, are announced and teach the Gondoliers a lesson in deportment as well as revealing the shadier side of being an aristocratic family. Soon, Inez is found and to everyone's relief declares that the real prince is indeed Luiz, whom she interchanged with her own son as a baby for reasons of security. Luiz is crowned king and claims Casilda as his bride.
Amid great rejoicing, the gondoliers prepare to return to Venice and their former way of life.