D'Oyly Carte Omnibus 1982 (1).divx

An appearance by the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company on the BBC "Omnibus" programme in 1982, as the company was about to close down due to the rejection of its application for Arts Council funding.They discuss the imminent closure with Barry Norman and sing the finale to H.M.S Pinafore. The second clip has the rest of the finale.

[@zaygezunt]

Ohh, D'Oyly Carte ... sad demise. No matter what governments may say, Gilbert and Sullivan still remain greatly loved and popular. Don't forget the Festival in July and August in Buxton - see you there ta la. Soon as we may, off and away!

[@poohbah2003]

Thanks for posting this Tony. I too think Meston missed some notes by a tone!

[@harunrathore]

Barry Norman says that "D'Oyly Carte has one more song to sing on this programme" which to me suggests that there has been at least one before the act II finale. Does anyone know if anything of the previous song/songs survives and if so where?

[@richardduployen6429]

What did the Arts Council know about operetta? What a tragedy! What wasn't said clearly was D. C. had done original productions as well as the natural productions based on things evolved over the century. One of the best productions I've ever seen was the new "Sorcerer" (designs by Osbert Lancaster). Will someone please find the t. v. broadcast of the traditional "Patience" (with set not in aspic changed two sets to one: a mansion terrace!) from the West End (black and white film)? We had a private recording of the soundtrack. It's a mystery why it was lost when we can actually see the t. v. versions of "the Merry Widow" (Jeremy Brett good as Danilo - singing so why was he dubbed as Freddie "My Fair Lady" film?), and "La Belle Hélene" Sadler's Wells are now on youTube.

[@oldcremona]

“ We’ve had black Mikado’s, green Mikado’s, pink Mikado’s...” Apparently bigotry is one of those old-fashioned values they treasure so.

[@webz3589]

I think it's got far less to do with bigotry and more to do with not messing what was already good.

[@seanosborne3343]

As an ex-member of D'Oyly Carte, I have to say that never once in my time there did I witness, or hear of, any trace of bigotry. I experienced only warmth, and from everyone.