."A sparkling revival of Cal McCrystals first G&S at ENO proves engaging fun with strong musical performances, physical comedy and a sense of the sheer absurdity of the world Gilbert created. PlanetHugill
2023
iNEWS "Cal McCrystal’s intensely enjoyable production welds chorus, soloists, and orchestra (conductor Chris Hopkins) into a triumphant ensemble achievement." 5 stars
The Daily Mail "Cal McCrystals brilliantly funny Olivier Award nominated Iolanthe is back at the Coliseum. The purists often take exception to McCrystal because his outstanding visual humour is often subversive. But I think he makes this show, and others." 5 stars
The Guardian “Cal McCrystal’s joyous Gilbert and Sullivan staging returns to English National Opera packed with pantomime animals, visual and verbal gags and, above all, terrific singing” 4 stars
The Times "An exhaustingly frenetic show — and if you don’t like innuendo, beware, the smut-o-meter is in overdrive here — but in a house as vast as the Coliseum G&S needs this sort of turbocharge." 4 starsFinancial Times “Part pantomime, part satire, part knockabout comedy, this Iolanthe has something for everybody.” 4 starsLondonBoxOffice.co.uk “Directed by Cal McCrystal with a set and costumes by the late and much lamented Paul Brown, this revival from 2018 is a wonderfully frolicsome flower in ENO’s buttonhole and captures all of Gilbert and Sullivan’s joyful nonsense.” 5 stars
The Stage ENO delivers all the wit and magic in this sparkling production, smartly directed by Cal McCrystal. 4 stars
The Spectator "ENO has revived Cal McCrystals production of Iolanthe and the original 2018 staging was such a joyful experience that I couldnt wait to see it again. You should, too. This is G&S in excelsis: a spectacular, gleefully funny and gorgeously sung staging that treats Gilbert and Sullivan – rightly – as the inventors of the West End blockbuster.”
BroadwayWorld “McCrystal can’t resist pumping in as many sight gags and as much slapstick as he can. The highly-calibrated direction makes fantastic use of the main talent as well as giving the chorus some wonderfully free movement.”
LondonUnattached.com “McCrystal, who is something of a comic genius, has crafted a riotous romp through G&S’ most satiric work that the ENO’s diverse and young audience lapped up. My guess is that you will love it too. It’s a hit!”
OperaFor All.co.uk “Cal McCrystal’s production is simply delightful, skilfully marrying absurdity with Gilbert and Sullivan’s biting satire.”
LondonOlogy.co.uk "If Cal McCrystal’s Iolanthe was a cake it would be a Unicorn cake with a deep buttercream icing and liberally covered with edible glitter and hundreds and thousands with a surprising layer of tongue tingling popping candy. The director’s hallmarks are retro spectacle and masterly comic timing with splashes of whimsy and political satire."
OughtToBeClowns.com “Cal McCrystal’s work here is a revelation. You have to imagine that operetta is something of a hard sell for contemporary audiences but this is the kind of production that might actually change minds.”