London: Iolanthe

It’s hard to believe it, but I’ve already finished my second semester at King’s. The last twelve weeks of lectures have flown by in a blur of readings and French pastries and mooting. I’m more than slightly relieved to get a brief reprieve from the endless law articles before revision starts in earnest. I’ve survived a term of straight law; that’s the main thing.

Despite all I just said, I hardly spent second semester holed up in my room being studious. I was far more likely to be found in a music room on the Strand campus with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society. While rehearsals for Iolanthe started way back in October, things really started ramping up this term. For those of you who somehow missed my shameless Iolanthe promotion during show week, it’s an operetta in which a flock of fairies are pitted against the similarly vacuous House of Lords. Like all good G&S shows, there are romantic tangles and rampant silliness aplenty.

I was Fleta the fairy. I had about five lines and even managed to remember most of them. My time was largely spent tripping hither and thither, skipping across the stage with the rest of my fairy gang.

The week leading up to opening night was fairly rehearsal/pub-heavy. The cast being responsible for all the back-stage business – scenery, costumes, props, etc – we spent a Saturday spray-painting wings and painting boxes tardis-blue. I've a suspicion that my lungs have gone all silver inside, and Heather's, gold. But it was worth it. Our costumes looked great.

(I'm perched at the back like Where's Wally.)

We gave three performances, each one a success. The audience seemed to enjoy themselves, and hardly anyone fell off the back of the stage. Despite incrementally daubing our white tights in glittery body paint, us fairies looked fabulous. The Lords weren’t too shabby either, wafting about in the red cloaks that us girls had slaved over during 'get in'. And if some stitching came undone on stage, I’m sure that had incredibly little to do with my inch-long hemming stitches...

Joining the G&S Society turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made during my exchange. There’s no better way of meeting fun, crazy people and getting to know a local pub or five. Thanks to all you G&Sers for helping to make King's amazing. And it isn’t over yet; there’s the Summer Ball to look forward to, after all!

Hail poetry… !