Patience

A comic operetta by Gilbert and Sullivan

Directed by Winnifred Hume
Music Direction by Aly Carrigan
Choreography by Kylie Bullock

Presented at the Pumphouse Theatre
April 24 to May 2, 2026

All of the maidens in the village are besotted with Reginald Bunthorne, a moody and handsome poet, but he has eyes only for the simple milkmaid, Patience. The problem? Bunthorne’s artistic ways are all just an act to attract women to him–he doesn’t even like poetry! Besides, Patience is in love with her childhood sweetheart, who happens to be a real poet named Archibald Grosvenor, but feels she cannot marry him because he is just too perfect. In the meantime, the serious (and decidedly non-poetic) platoon of Heavy Dragoon Guards that were meant to marry the village maidens find themselves dismayed and perplexed by their sudden loss of prospects. One of Gilbert & Sullivan’s most successful shows, Patience is a rollicking satire that pits the straight-laced ideals of the Victorian era against the passions and indulgences of the 1870s Aesthetic Movement, ridiculing each side of the spectrum.

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

Patience – Female-identifying, Soprano
A village milkmaid who has never known love. Patience is sincere, practical, and literal-minded, taking moral ideas to unfortunate extremes. She is loved by both poets, Bunthorne and her childhood friend Grosvenor.

Reginald Bunthorne – Male-identifying, Baritone (comic)
The “fleshly poet”. Bunthorne is vain and desperate for attention from the ladies and has therefore adopted the aesthetic fashions of exaggerated sensitivity and artistic suffering. However, he only has eyes for Patience, who finds his attentions very confusing and tiresome. Bunthorne learns what it means when all your manipulations come to nothing!

Archibald Grosvenor – Male-identifying, Tenor/Baritone
The “idyllic poet”. Patience’s childhood friend, who becomes Bunthorne’s rival for her love. Grosvenor is effortlessly beautiful, and poetic, which makes him universally adored. However, he finds the affections of the ladies to be quite tiresome and ends up only too happy to find a way out!

Lady Jane – Female-identifying, Mezzo-soprano/Contralto
Wealthy Lady Jane is one of Bunthorne’s most devoted followers. She is fiercely intelligent and humorous, and aware of what might be perceived as her diminishing beauty. She also knows it doesn’t pay to say no to a Duke!

Colonel Calverley – Male-identifying, Baritone
Leader of the Dragoon Guards. The Colonel is confident in the superior qualities of the Dragoon Guards (especially their handsome uniforms!) and is therefore very confused that the ladies have latched on the poet Bunthorne.

Murgatroyd – Male-identifying, Baritone
A respectable soldier who is baffled by the ladies’ attraction to aesthetic poets!

The Duke of Dunstable – Male-identifying, Tenor
An aristocrat who, tired of the constant flattery of the masses, joined the army in hopes of being treated like a commonplace young man.

Lady Angela – Female-identifying, Mezzo-Soprano
One of the rapturous maidens, in love with the poet Bunthorne, although previously engaged to a heavy dragoon!

Saphir – Female-identifying, Soprano
A rapturous maiden, devoted to Bunthorne, but quick to shift her loyalties should the need arise!

Ella – Female-identifying, Soprano
Another devoted follower of aestheticism.

Chorus of RAPTUROUS MAIDENS and OFFICERS OF DRAGOON GUARDS.

Audition Requirements:

• Auditions for Patience will take place In-person in ten minute time-slots.
• Please prepare a song to highlight your vocal abilities (approximately 2 minutes long). No matter what style of music you choose to sing bring your best character performance to your audition song!
• Bring your music track on your phone. A speaker and adapter cords will be available, although you are welcome to bring your own speaker.
• You may be asked to do a cold read.
• Auditioners are asked to complete an online audition form, with an acting resume and headshot.
• Selected auditioners will be requested to attend an in-person callback to read with other performers.

Morpheus Theatre encourages individuals of all genders, ethnicities, and abilities to audition. Not a traditional actor?  That is okay, get in touch with us and we will find a way for you to showcase what you have to offer.