Ruddigore, or The Witch’s Curse, is a Gilbert & Sullivan send-up of the Victorian Melodrama – with wicked Baronets, a Damsel in Distress, a Jolly Jack-Tar, a Virtuous Maiden, and an entire gallery of Ghostly Ancestors that come to life at midnight.  If you’ve ever seen The Mikado, or Pirates of Penzance, you know the fun and humor that Gilbert & Sullivan evoke in all their shows.  Watch the drama unravel as the truth concealed gives way to lies revealed in this offbeat tale of a family curse, ghosts and professional bridesmaids!  

 

The story takes place in the village of Rederring, where none of the village girls stand a chance at marriage because all the young men love Rose Maybud, but do not measure up to her strict standards of etiquette. Robin Oakapple also loves Rose, but is too shy to court her, partly because he is the accursed Baronet of Ruddigore, disguised. His younger brother Despard bears the burden of the curse: he must commit a crime every day or die in agony. Robin's foster brother, Richard, seeking Rose for himself, tells Despard about Robin's deception, and Despard transfers the curse back to Robin. The ghosts of his ancestors confront Robin for failing to conscientiously carry out his duty. Robin agrees to execute the curse faithfully, but finds a clever solution to the whole problem after all.

 

Stage Director Ralph McPhail, Jr. returns for his 7th summer with the Society, along with Jeffrey Jones-Ragona enjoying his 11th season as Music Director. Starring Trey Deason (Robin Oakapple/Ruthven Murgatroyd), Glay Marie Posch (Rose Maybud), Michael Borysow (Richard Dauntless), Frank Delvy (Despard Murgatroyd), Janette Jones (Mad Margaret), Russell Gregory (Sir Roderic), Patricia Combs (Dame Hannah), David Fontenot (Old Adam), Christine Walsh (Zorah), and Mandy Summers (Ruth).

 

The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Austin was founded with the purpose of preserving and presenting the works of Gilbert & Sullivan.  Known for its highly acclaimed annual grand productions from the G&S repertoire, the Society is also dedicated to spreading and teaching the joys of G&S through school and community presentations.

 

This production is sponsored in part by KMFA 89.5 Classical Radio, NEWS 8 Austin, and by grants from the City of Austin’s Cultural Arts Division and the Texas Commission on the Arts.