Top tenor hits the right notes

Russell Stratton really has hit a rich vein of form since entering the topsy turvy world of Gilbert and Sullivan. Until a year ago, Russell was singing rock and blues with local bands. Since joining Abbots Langley Gilbert and Sullivan Society (ALGSS) for their award winning production of ‘The Sorcerer’ in February, Russell has had no end of success. His portrayal of Alexis in ‘The Sorcerer’ won him a coveted NODA scholarship to their national summer school in Ripon last month. Up against the best amateur talent in the UK, he got the lead role of Tony in ‘West Side Story’. Usually the lead parts are split between two performers, but his audition was so impressive that he was asked to play the role for all of the performances. Russell said, "It was one of the most tiring and rewarding weeks of my life, in four days of intensive rehearsals the entire ensemble, under expert direction, pooled their strengths and ironed out each others weaknesses to produce a performance none of us felt capable of when the week began. To work with such committed and talented people was an incredible honour"
 
On the back of his ‘West Side Story’ triumph, Russell has also secured the tenor lead in the ALGSS forthcoming production of ‘Iolanthe’ in February and will also be appearing in ‘South Pacific’ at the Watersmeet Theatre 14th - 18th
October. Russell can next be seen at Harrow Arts Centre 20th September playing the Padre in ‘Man of La Mancha’ where he and the cast from Watford Operatic are playing for one night only before they perform at the Waterford Light Opera Festival in Ireland later this month.
 
Despite being in demand as one of the leading young tenors in the area, Russell has his feet firmly on the ground saying, ‘"I am a person who loves to learn and am grateful that people see me as someone they want to offer these opportunities to. I owe it to them and myself to make sure none of this knowledge is wasted and I become the best performer I can be"