`Yeomen’ a joyously explosive production

The Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Hancock County reprised its February production of “Yeomen of the Guard, or The Merryman and His Maid” on Thursday and Friday at The Grand in Ellsworth as a summer treat to the many G&S fans who live and vacation Down East. And what a treat it is.

Under the direction of Dede Johnson, who has been with the company for nearly 20 years, “Yeomen” is one of those joyous community-based theater efforts to which Maine, and Hancock County in particular, has an uncanny and dexterous dedication. The spirited cast of such events is always peppered with outstanding talent musically, and “Yeomen,” led by music director John Haskell, certainly keeps up the tradition.

The wiles of love, of course, provide the scheme-filled plot of this opera. Sergeant Meryll’s daughter Phoebe is in love with Colonel Fairfax who, on accusations of sorcery, awaits beheading in the Tower of London. To assure that a mercenary kinsman doesn’t inherit his estates, Fairfax weds Elsie, a strolling minstrel, who is betrothed to Jack Point, a strolling jester. As if that weren’t complicated enough, the head jailor and chief tormentor, Wilfred, is in love with Phoebe, and Tower housekeeper Dame Carruthers has her sights set on Sergeant Meryll.

Unlike most G&S operas, “Yeomen” has an unresolved ending. Yes, it ends with marriages — three unlikely ones — but it also ends with a most tragic scene in which Jack Point dies from a broken heart. It is an unsettling moment, and Dede Johnson handles it beautifully in her direction of actor Daniel Mills. He stands alone on the stage, a white spotlight illuminating his white-clad body, and he wrenches to his death. It is not overplayed nor sappy. But it is poignant, especially as the wedding pairs go forth into life on the opposite side of the stage.

Mills, however, has many moments that show off his talent. He is an extraordinary performer, limber and lanky like Peter O’Toole, and always true to his character’s jolly cynicism. His duet “I Have a Song to Sing, O!” with Sandra Blanchette as Elsie, is one of the loveliest scenes in the show. Blanchette doesn’t have the natural charisma of her partner, but her voice is truly angelic, and the blend between the two is pleasing.

Mills’ duet “Like a Ghost I Saw Him Creeping,” with Charles Alexander, as the jailor, is very funny. The actors have a real handle on comic movement and facial expression, and go for the gold in this piece. Alexander is a sorry sight of a disgustingly dirty jailor, and adds that special, bawdy humor to every scene he’s in.

Dana Daniels brings complete energy and sparkle to the stage with her Phoebe. You can always understand her words — spoken or sung, and this is seldom the case with the other cast members.

G&S regulars, Virginia S. Cunningham (Dame Carruthers), John M. Cunningham (Meryll), and David Blanchette (Fairfax) are rightfully cast in lead singing parts. Brief vocal contributions by T.W. Lunt and Mary Ellen Martel are also impressively and purely sweet.

The best part of this show, however, is the ensemble work of the entire cast. These actors move swiftly and confidently. The crowd scenes are lively and full, rich with details and carried out with grace. Except for one implausibly pregnant woman, the costuming crew is resourceful and careful with its choices. When the yeomen come on for their first number, the stage explodes in red and gold.

But Hancock County’s G&S aficionados are always on the joyously explosive side with their happy productions. And “Yeomen” marks yet another succesful bash with those old masters of wit and melody.

“Yeomen of the Guard” will be performed 8 p.m. July 17 at Greenville High School in Greenville. Tickets are available at the door.