Programme Ticket Harrow Observer
(See review in Gaytonian 1968 below)
This year's opera, Gilbert & Sullivan's "Patience", made an inevitable success with each separate audience,and the curtain was opened and shut, apparently by public demand, at least four times at the end of each performance. Thanks, chiefly, go to Mr. Mees, a most painstaking and ingenious producer and Mr. O'Donoghue, whose enthusiasm succeeded in Blending all the performers harmoniously.
One of the amusing parts of the opera was caused by the Chorus of Dragoon Guards, well led by Phillip Barnett, Andrew Caruthers and Gordon Jones. The former showed he has a remarkably fine bass, and Jones, playing the rather amusing Duke, proved a fine hand at singing and very witty in dialogue.
The Chorus of Maidens proved surprisingly convincing, due mainly to the leaders, Graham Wells,Andrew findon and simon Cramond, where a hitherto unlnown source of good singing was found. The good acting of Martin Steele, the other principal maiden, is already known, from last year's opera.
But give the greatest commendation to Martin Tomsett, who, playing Grosvenor, has an astoundingly fine tenor; to Mark Gilbert who appears very good at singing, dialogue,expression - and in short, acting; and to Nigel Rogers. This was his fourth and final opera, and I think the school is losing a great actor. His portrayal of Bunthorne was one of the best role's he's done.
Lastly,many thanks to the Parents' Union for their singing off-stage and their organisation of the refreshments.
Which leaves me with one part of the opera which is definitely Mees style. I am quite sure that Gilbert and Sullivan never intended a 'cello that could float in mid-air!
Robert Dando, age 13, writing in Gaytonian, 1968.