With the Edinburgh spring gradually making its return, EUSOG (Edinburgh University Savoy Opera Group) presents Ruddigore: The Witch’s Curse in Bedlam for four nights, bringing a little thrill to accompany the weather’s chill. Immediately on walking into the auditorium, the sound effects of the howling wind, the rustle of the branches, and the occasional shattering surely bring you into the mysterious nameless village, ready to unravel the family of Ruddigore’s most dreadful secrets.
The first thing noticeable is the black drape half-hung upstage, with golden frames of various sizes and shapes inlaid. These frames are a core element of the production, multi-roling as a display cabinet of the various killings, a reaction window for the fellow villagers, and a curtain revealing some regretful past love. It is impressive for the eighteen cast members to collaborate in their methodical manner, presenting the scenes with systematic precision and not a single mistake. The whole cast perform with a genuine and professional attitude — absolutely a delight to watch and applaud by the end of each song. A special mention goes to Lou Limpenny, playing Adam Goodheart. His devoted singing, coupled with his invested physicality, makes his character memorable — and yes, the green hair is a bonus for sure!
As the authors of this comic opera, Sir W.S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan are both from England and, despite this, it is a delightful surprise to see some Scottish elements in the choreography. Choreographer Rachel Steel has surely poured a splash of Edinburgh into this production. Some of the moves seem inspired by Ceilidh dances, including ‘Strip the Willow’ and ‘Dashing White Sergeant’, to name a few. In my eyes, this is undeniably the highlight of the show — it is not just a generic piece of theatre anymore, but one adapting and embracing the local culture, granted with the passionate mark of Edinburgh student theatre.
Technically, Lighting Designer Carys Hrebenar has made the stage versatile, with the aid of their lighting witchcraft. Through the ever-changing flows of colour and drifts of shadow, no matter if it’s the big day for the happily married couple, bright and sunny, or the spooky inside of the Ruddigore’s mansion, dark and dubious, we feel like we are there, all alone. Although the radio mics are a bit hit-and-miss, the co-sound designers, Atalanta Lewis and Eric Rogers have coordinated the production well, leading to an immersive experience for the audience.
Overall, although there are a few noticeable moments of corpsing on stage, EUSOG’s Ruddigore: The Witch’s Curse is a success without a doubt. With the themed cocktails available during intervals, it is a magnificent show.
Banner provided by EUSOG as press material.