Orpheus in the Underworld

Preston Opera produced a semi-staged version of this Offenbach operetta. It took place at the Playhouse Theatre Preston in October 2009. The piece is an outrageous skit on the behaviour of the Greek gods of myths and legend. In many ways it reflects the immoralities of the court of Napolean III in early 19th C Paris. The producer was Geoff Horton and the conductor was Colin Beeson. The entertainer Jimmy Cricket was the Narrator and also played the part of Bacchus. The piano accompanist was John Wilson and the violinist was Roger Boyes.

 

Jimmy introduced the cast of principals including Chris Elliot as Icarus the balloonist.

 

The chorus of Nymphs and Shepherds etc. with Catherine Lindsay (Juno), Natalie Bennett (Mercury) and Christina Finley (Venus).

 

The chorus rests after a hard day's work.

 

Rachel Aston (Eurydice) with Marie'Louise Lane (Calliope) and Barrie Wright (Jupiter).

 

Euridice is fed up with Orpheus, played by Andrew Gardner

 

 

But Euridice fancies the disguised Pluto, played by Keith Cawdron

 

Orpheus bids farewell to his pupils before setting out for Mount Olympus

 

 

 

Act II. On Mount Olympus Diana played by Helen Gregory is upset because Jupiter has turned her boyfriend into a stag!

 

Calliope and her jilted son Orpheus are on their way piloted by Icarus.

 

Pluto, the king of Hades is rebuked by Jupiter and wife Juno for stealing Euridice from Orpheus!

Cupid, played by Julie Walker, sings of Jupiters cleverness

So does Venus played by Christina Finley

...and Mars, the man behind the helmet was Mike Bamford

Jupiter, played by Barrie Wright, is persuaded to take all his children and the chorus down to Hades to sort out the problems and to have a short holiday. Mercury, far left, was played by Natalie Bennett.

Off they all go!

But they hold the curtain up in order to finish the song. Nice touch!

Here in Hades Euridice is disappointed with Pluto as a lover.

But she is quick to repulse the advances of her guardian Styx, played by Arthur Baines. He wishes he had married her when he was alive!

They all need cheering up with a party!

Jupiter changes himself into a fly so he also can try to win Euridice (Juno does not approve).

After all this Euridice decides she fancies Bacchus and flirts with him.

The principal gods dance a graceful minuet....

Followed by the infamous Can Can! Well done Rachel McAteer, Charlotte Newsham, Melissa Slater and Rebecca Taylorson from the Amanda Rogers School of Dance.

Final chorus

Colin Beeson with the baton

At the curtain call Geoff Horton takes his bow.