When I was a lad (to quote from Gilbert and Sullivan), I appeared in a school production of Trial by Jury, and I’ve loved the piece ever since, so I was delighted to attend The Lynn Festival Chorus’ recent production of the work, which included some fine soloists and The British Sinfonietta conducted with flair by Ben Horden.

The weather during the afternoon of the performance was dismal, but the show lifted the spirits, and we audience members forgot all about external conditions. In the concert’s first half a delightful and well chosen selection of numbers from various popular Gilbert and Sullivan operas were performed with animation and enthusiasm by the first rate team of soloists.

I make no apologies for singling out Simon Butteriss’ rendition of A Little List, full of clever and critical references to contemporary personalities and issues!

Trial by Jury is a clever, amusing, and memorable piece of operatic theatre, which was performed during the concert’s second half, and was partially staged. It concerns a breach of promise of marriage lawsuit in which the judge and legal system are the objects of lighthearted satire.

The opera is not long (about 40 minutes duration), but this production was great fun and beautifully sung! The superb cast consisted of Simon Butteriss (Judge), Sarah Fox (Angelina), Felix Kemp (Council for the Plaintiff), Ania Szypula (Usher), and Russell Painter, who stepped in at the last minute replacing Richard Pinkstone as The Defendant. Well done to all, the singing and acting was first class.

The British Sinfonietta conducted by Ben Horden gave their best, and of course, where would the production be without the marvellous contributions of The Lynn Festival Chorus at all times during this glorious production? Ring forth ye bells, to quote G and S.

– Andy Tyler, Lynn News