'The Witch's Curse' Is Anything But Evil

The subtitle of Ruddigore, the latest production of the Harvard Gilbert and Sullivan Players, is "The Witch's Curse," but there is nothing evil about this charming operetta. With the help of a funny script, an engaging plot, excellent acting and singing, Ruddigore delivers an evening of great fun at the Agassiz Theater.

A romantic comedy lies at the heart of the production. As the play opens, timid Robin Oakapple (Michael Short) is attempting to woo the lovely Rose Maybud (Karen Thompson). Unable to overcome his shyness and reveal his true feelings, Robin instead convinces Richard Dauntless (Colum Amory), his foster brother, to talk to Rose for him. When the seafaring Richard sees the charming Rose, he breaks his promise to Robin and becomes engaged to Rose himself.

Angered by Richard's betrayal. Robin finally speaks up and convinces Rose to marry him rather than a treacherous sea-dog like Richard. On the day of their wedding, however, the evil Sir Despard Murgatroyd (Brian Martin) appears and reveals that Robin is really Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd, Despard's older brother and heir to the baronetcy of Ruddigore. The heir, says Despard, inherits the family fortune--as well as the family curse.

The curse, inflicted upon the family by a witch burned at the stake by one of Ruthven's ancestors, decrees that each succeeding baron must commit a crime each day or die in agony. Thus exposed, Ruthven must abandon Rose and return to Ruddigore Castle and begin his life of crime. After incurring the displeasure of the ghosts of his ancestors for performing crimes deemed too paltry (he forges his own will and disinherits a son he does not have), Ruthven discovers a way to escape the curse, and, in typical Gilbert and Sullivan style, live happily ever after.

The undisputed highlight of this performance is the exquisite voice of Thompson. Her singing is beautifully clear and smooth, and her articulation makes her songs the easiest ones to understand. Her acting, while not as enthralling as her singing, is strong. She conveys the humor of Rose's character--her religious devotion to her book of etiquette and her good-humored fickleness about choosing a husband--without undue exaggeration.

Also delivering a strong performance is Martin as the evil Despard. He portrays Despard's madness with a joy and energy that is marvelous; his deep, diabolical laugh and insane facial expressions make him a wonderful character. Martin also displays remarkable range. Despard, freed from the family curse, becomes puritanical, and Martin handles this dramatic reversal well. He depicts the new Despard with a stiffness that is entirely appropriate.

As Rose's mild-mannered suitor, Short delivers his lines with an endearing relish, and his vain, half-hearted attempts to appear dastardly and evil at Ruddigore Castle are subtly humorous in contrast to the dastardly quality of Despard. Though Short has a pleasant singing voice, he suffers by close comparison to the divine Thompson in their duet in the first act.

One of the few noticeable weaknesses in casting is the choice of Amory as Richard Dauntless. While he plays his character with great vivacity, he speaks much too quickly and articulates poorly--many of his lines are impossible to understand. Fortunately, director Arthur Fuscaldo supplements Amory's lines with large, hilarious gestures. For example, he has Richard take out his spyglass and look Rose over intensely in their first meeting. Amory's flourishes somewhat compensate for his garbled lines.

Overall, the musical numbers are nicely performed: the songs themselves are enjoyable compositions, the blend of voices is smooth and harmonious, and both the orchestra and singers professionally execute intricate numbers. Martin and Short, of course, carry their numbers well. Samantha Graff, playing Despard's love interest, Mad Margaret, also does an amazing job of keeping time with the orchestra as well as articulating the words in the fast-paced "It Really Doesn't Matter."

The main cast is admirably supported by an energetic chorus of professional bridesmaids and disgruntled ghosts. Particular praise goes to David Chung playing the ghost of the bishop. He has a wonderful ability to maintain his mannequin stillness in the show.

With such a potpourri of interesting, unique characters and lovely musical numbers, Ruddigore promises an evening of laughter and romance: two perfect ingredients for a good weekend night.