Review of the Anne & Gilbert musical.(Our Kindred Spirits Share)(Anne and Gilbert the Island Love Story)(Theater Review)

One of the highlights of my recent trip to Prince Edward Island was viewing the musical performance of Anne & Gilbert." the Island Love Story. Even though the show was held far away from Cavendish, at the Victoria Playhouse, our ride through kilometers of red dirt roads served as the perfect prelude to the performance, as it made me feel like Anne riding to Green Gables for the first time with Matthew through the White Way of Delight.

Anne & Gilbert, the sequel to the original Anne of Green Gables Musical, follows the plots of LM Montgomery's novels Anne of Avonlea and Anne of the Island, with a special emphasis on Gilbert's pursuit of Anne 'S heart and affection despite her prolonged refusal. Maria Campbell who plays Phil Gordon, Anne's rich friend at Redmond University, expressed her thrill at being part of this new production which further brings Anne's story to life, to the great pleasure and excitement of Anne's fans. This show is also a good introduction to the wonderful world of Avonlea, and could encourage more people to read LM Montgomery's books for themselves. The playwrights Nancy White, Bob Johnson and Jeff Hochhauser ensured that this musical would appeal to such a diverse audience by cleverly inserting allusions to events and themes in the first Anne of Green Gables musical, such as Mrs. Lynde 's constant gossiping, which veteran Anne admirers recognize with a laugh, as well as incorporating comments with which most contemporary viewers could easily identify, like the senior university students making the freshmen feel uncomfortable upon their arrival on campus.

Unlike some musicals I've seen in the past that simply sounded like choral performance in costume, this all-Canadian cast excelled both at singing and at acting, and convincingly portrayed the personalities and feelings of each character; a pretty impressive achievement after less than three weeks of rehearsals! The original script, music and choreography contributed to maintaining the sold-out audience's attention and interest for the entire two-and-a-half hours of the show. Particularly entertaining were the clear and beautiful vocal harmonies, the elaborate costumes and the ...