This is a reissue of a 1960 recording of Iolanthe complete with dialogue and is a part of Decca's box set of all the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. There are some who believe the political humor of this particular play is long past its prime, but it still has relevance in its barbs at liberals and conservatives, at legislatures where process seems to be ruled by argument, and at conflicts of interest among government officials. John Reed, the
D'Oyly Carte's principal comedian in the 1960s and 1970s, is charmingly droll as the Lord Chancellor, especially when trying to logically argue with himself. And although his patter in the "Nightmare Song" could be a little faster, he does carry it through to the end with a headlong breathlessness.
Gillian Knight is also droll as the Fairy Queen in her un-steadfast authoritarianism. Mary Sansom as Phyllis, Yvonne Newman as Iolanthe, and Alan Styler as Strephon fill out the other major roles. All of the performers play their parts with the traditional, somewhat exaggerated attitudes that tell the audience that this is not to be mistaken for grand opera, but rather enjoyed as musical fancy. Long-tenured
D'Oyly Carte musical director
Isidore Godfrey conducts and brings out the
Beethoven-like pastoral nature of Strephon's and Phyllis' music. The "Entrance of the Peers" and the finales of Acts I and II are shiningly regal, perhaps thanks to the orchestral reinforcements from the
Grenadier Guards Band.