Gustav Holst’s The Idea
Discover the delight of this little known, family fun, theatrical operetta, which is undertaking its UK premier this year. The Prime Minister has had an Idea….

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Gustav Holst’s The Idea
Discover the delight of this little known, family fun, theatrical operetta, which is undertaking its UK premier this year. The Prime Minister has had an Idea….
This early and tuneful composition by English composer Gustav Holst is an unexpected far throw from his best known orchestral suite The Planets. Holst’s collaboration with his 22 year old contemporary of The Royal College of Music Fritz B Hart fuses a sharp, witty and satirical libretto, Holst’s catchy tunes, inspired by Gilbert and Sullivan, woven into a joyful fresh new arrangement by Patrick Vincent.
In a witty and surreal adapted staging by director Paula Chitty. The Prime Minister of this great and glorious country interrupts the wacky court of a rambling king and clown faced queen to announce his great Idea.

**** ReviewsGate. It is performed and sung with relish – Valaria Perboni has has a nicely acid touch as HM and John Stivey bumbles to the manner born as the PM – by the entire cast. It is a rare delight staged with wit -director Chitty did the Costume and set design – and deserves to pop up all over place on the fringe and around after this short season. And the relevance to today needs no pointing up.

**** LondonTheatre1 Paula Chitty’s direction of this unexpected piece is taut and witty, with John Stivey and Valeria Perboni doing that ongoing English dance of P.M. and H.M. with edge and deftness.
Irrational Theatre specialises in the Best of British opera and plays – librettists, composers and playwrights.
 
Composer - Gustav Holst
Librettist - Fritz B Hart
Arrangement – Patrick Vincent
Director /designer – Paula Chitty
Dance gestures – Elizabeth George
Stage Management – Kate Reynolds
 
Cast 2023/ 2024

Charles Nayler
Valeria Perboni
Jamie Blake
Rosie Taylor
John Stivey

Musicians:
Joy Mendelsohn
Patrick O’Donovan
Amber Nixon

CAST 2021 / 2022

Cast: 
Ross Hobson
Valeria Perboni
Simon Mulligan
Elena Hogg 
John Stivey.

Creatives 
Arrangement -Patrick Vincent
Direction and Designer -Paula Chitty
Sewing assistance – Maureen Chitty
Dance gestures: Elizabeth George
Lighting Designer - Colin Watkeys 
Lighting programmer – Eddie Stephens
Lighting operator - Paula Chitty / Peter Hale 
Stage Management-  Kate Reynolds
Photographs – Bob Simpson