By all means it is not perfect, but at least it's better than HMS Pinafore, Pirates of Penzanze and Yeomen(as D'Oyly Carte productions that is). Some may object to the padding this performance has, with an extra opening sequence and the addition of silent characters, but I didn't find that a problem. Tom McDonnell is perhaps too over-emphatic as the Counsel, and although Frankie Howerd is much better than he was in HMS Pinafore with some clever and funny little moments like in A Nice Dilemma, despite the fact he tries to sing the notes rather than talk through them like in HMS Pinafore that can't make up for me that he wasn't up to the part vocally. Descrepancies aside, it is a very handsomely mounted production, with some of the better video directing of any G&S production of the D'Oyly Carte series and the sound is good. The music is wonderful, and performed with style by the orchestra and conducted with crisp efficiency. The chorus are well-balanced and don't resort to mugging or static posing like they have in the past. The staging is fine and isn't too bogged down by the additions, and the dialogue is very clever and wittily delivered. Of the rest of the cast, Ryland Davies proves to be luxury casting as Edwin, and Kate Flowers sings Angelina absolutely beautifully. Roger Bryson is an Usher of great sonority, and as the Former of the Jury Brian Donlon makes much of little(role-wise) in comparison. All in all, I found myself really enjoying this Trial By Jury. 8/10 Bethany Cox
