This version of "Iolanthe" is a dreadful example of what mischief can be done when people of lesser ability than Arthur Sullivan and W. S. Gilbert decide to "update" and "modernize" the original music and libretto. I must confess that I am a purist when it comes to G&S, and find tinkering with the original lyrics, music and staging extremely irritating. The intrusion of stagehands into the action, the hammy performances of the performers (especially The Fairy Queen and the Lord Chancellor), the addition of out-of-period tap dancing and arcane references to Canadian institutions and politics (O CBC instead of O Captain Shaw?) were terribly annoying and not at all enjoyable. I found myself having to restrain myself from hitting the fast-forward button on my remote control several times, and was glad to see this sorry production finally end.
Review of Iolanthe
