Gondoliers rows towards theatre near you

If the enthusiastic reaction of a student audience at Sherwood Forest Elementary is any indication, opera lovers should be in for a treat this year when the Lakeshore Light Opera returns with their production of The Gondoliers, a Gilbert & Sullivan classic.

"They're kids, we have no idea what they're going to do," the director for the day, Cameron Black, warned cast and crew at a meeting in the school's library before they spilled over into the gymnasium for a preview.

However, what the children did, especially whenever Black was on stage as one of the operetta's characters, Don Alhambra del Bolero, was cheer and clap enthusiastically.

Set in 19th century Venice, the libretto follows the exploits of a group of gondoliers who arrive into town. Two in particular, Marco and Giuseppe Palmieri, are the envy of several young maidens who live in the city. One of them is, it turns out, the secret heir to the fictional island kingdom of Barataria. When del Bolero, the Grand Inquisitor of Spain, is sent to Venice to inform them of the fact, he fails to find them before they both get married.

What del Bolero does not reveal to them is that the true king will have to abandon his wife as he has already been promised in marriage to a princess from another land.

The official premiere for The Gondoliers is this coming Friday at 8 p.m. at the John Rennie Theatre in Pointe Claire. One can also catch The Gondoliers on March 5, 6 and 7 at the same time.

Afternoon viewings are also on offer at 2 p.m. on February 28 and March 1. Call 514-804-4900 for ticket info.

As always, proceeds from the show will go to the Lakeshore General Hospital Foundation.