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July 17, 2016In the following short videos, our Stage Director, Alistair Donkin, takes us through the plot of our summer production, Princess Ida. This show is unique in the G&S canon in that it has three acts, but anyone who loves Gilbert's comedic wordplay or Sullivan's entrancing melodies should find it very familiar.
ACT 1
In which two kingdoms are united by the marriage of toddlers. . . the now grown Prince Hilarion pines for Princess Ida, but Ida's father does not bring her. . . Hilarion vows to charm his way into Ida's graces.
ACT 2
In which Princess Ida's women's university is in session, teaching that men are "more or less insane" . . . Hilarion and his friends sneak into the school dressed as female students and hilarity ensues. . . their ruse is discovered through a tipsy slip of the tongue and calamity ensues. . . Hilarion's father storms the castle.
ACT 3
In which Princess Ida's army of female students has second thoughts about the battle. . . Ida's father pleads instead that her brothers fight Hilarion to determine Ida's future. . . Hilarion is victorious and convinces Ida that not all men are bad.