The Gondoliers

Escape to Venice with Christchurch Gilbert & Sullivan Society as they present Gilbert and Sullivan's comic operetta, The Gondoliers.

Venetian gondoliers and brothers Marco and Giuseppe Palmieri discover that one of them is the heir to the throne of Barataria. Until it can be determined which one of the them is the actual heir, they are ordered to leave their new wives and rule the kingdom jointly, following the death of the King of Barataria. To make matters worse, the legitimate heir was wedded to the daughter of the Duke of Plaza Toro in infancy and is therefore, unintentionally a bigamist.

The Duke's daughter, Casilda, is far from happy at the news that she is wedded to the new King of Barataria as she is secretly in love with her father's attendant, Luiz.

In a satire of class and the institution of the monarchy, the Palmieri brothers resolve to rule in a Republican fashion. However, revelations and mistaken identities threaten the brothers' claim to the throne and the future wedded happiness of everyone.

Expect a lively and sparkling production with a more modern setting, accompanied by a fourteen piece live orchestra.

A licensed bar will be available before the show, during the interval and afterwards, as well as a coffee and snack bar serving hot and cold drinks and snacks (open before and during the interval only). There is free parking at Iveshead School.