The Dowager’s Oyster – An Operetta
Presented by Cantata Dramatica
Music: Louis Mander
Lyrics: Jack Cherry & George Logan
Performance date: Thursday 8 th May, 2025
Venue: The Reform Club, Pall Mall, London
Production team
MD – Louis Mander
Director – Peter Champness
Producer/Designer – Louisa Petais
The Dowager’s Oyster is a comic operetta composed by Louis Mander with a
libretto by Jack Cherry. It premiered in 2016 at the Grimeborn Festival in
London’s Arcola Theatre. The operetta is set in 1924, blending murder mystery
with comedic farce, often compared stylistically to Agatha Christie’s intrigue
and the humor of Gilbert and Sullivan. The plot follows Lady Tindale (the
Dowager) and her daughter Cynthia as they travel to France for a holiday. The
trip is peppered with gossip, misunderstandings, and scandal involving
Cynthia’s fiancé, Freddy, who is secretly in Morocco with his lover. The story
takes a darker turn when the Dowager is murdered during a lunch, leading to a
whodunnit investigation by Dr. Gibaud, a pompous detective. The operetta
combines satire, wit, and social commentary, making it a lighthearted yet
sharp theatrical piece. Louis Mander’s composition received praise for its
engaging musical style, while the production was noted for its vibrant portrayal
of 1920s settings and eccentric characters.
What path will our river take to the sea?
England, 1914. Young bookseller Max and his best friend Sam have both fallen for Lily, a suffragette. As World War I unfolds, will Max follow patriotic Sam and enlist, or stay and campaign for social reform with Lily? Be it in cruel trenches or impoverished streets, turmoil is inevitable. Navigating war, politics, love, and brotherhood, Max must choose between desire and loyalty, between his duty and principles. What will he do? That’s where you come in…
Kieran Rayner’s moving and entertaining story, with himself singing and the wonderful Gamal Khamis on piano, combines live classical music with a branching narrative where the audience votes on what happens, shaping the plot and musical programme. Featuring songs by Finzi, Butterworth, Schubert, Robert &Clara Schumann, Ethel Smyth and more, What If? is an unforgettable evening of choose-your-own-adventure with song at its soul.
Suggested Age: 12+