Southampton Operatic Society's 1992 production of Ruddigore with Colin Sly (Sir Ruthven Murgatrod), David Rayner (Sir Despard Murgatroyd) and Rae Baker (Mad Margaret)
No reason, indeed--I agree. But after having done Despard many times, I can attest that it doesn't take hopping about to have you gasping for breath in this number. And one time, when performing this piece in a Pantheon-like columbarium, during my and Robin's verses, our (truly mad) Mad Margaret, went skipping around the atrium, smiling, waving and gesturing to the urns in their niches!
So, let's have everyone hopping about for no reason....no, wait! The reason is that the director obviously wants them to be out of breath so they can't possibly manage their solos without gasping every 2 measures!
No reason, indeed--I agree. But after having done Despard many times, I can attest that it doesn't take hopping about to have you gasping for breath in this number. And one time, when performing this piece in a Pantheon-like columbarium, during my and Robin's verses, our (truly mad) Mad Margaret, went skipping around the atrium, smiling, waving and gesturing to the urns in their niches!
So, let's have everyone hopping about for no reason....no, wait! The reason is that the director obviously wants them to be out of breath so they can't possibly manage their solos without gasping every 2 measures!
Exactly so. Movement for movement's sake. Pointless. Inane. The stage seems too small for the trad movement I barely remember from 60plus years ago.