Musician and actor Steven Gates, from comedy trio Tripod, introduced The Princess Bride in Concert with a comic tune that included snatches of the Oscar-nominated theme song “Storybook Love” (co-written by Mark Knopfler and vocalist Willy DeVille). It could have been appropriate to feature it in full at the close of the show, but this audience was more than happy as things were.
Speaking of the audience, several aficionados could be heard swapping favourite lines to each other before lights out, and again during the interval. No wonder they were ready to cheer when one of the villains met his fate. But that is jumping ahead.
The Southern Cross Symphony orchestra – conducted by Jessica Gethin – provided the entire Knopfler score (originally recorded with synthesisers and guitars), with renowned guitarist Slava Grigoryan, artistic director of the Adelaide Guitar Festival, taking Knopfler’s part. The orchestra was brilliant; by turns mellow, wistful, stirring, or suspenseful.
Slava Grigoryan performs in The Princess Bride in Concert. Photo: Naomi Jellicoe
Adapted from William Goldman’s 1973 novel, the 1987 movie was directed by Rob Reiner. It is a thrilling yet comic story within a story. The main part, set in the distant past, is recounted in contemporary times, with Peter Falk playing an elderly man reading it to his sick grandson.
At first, the boy resists, but he is quickly mesmerised by the twists and turns, the hopes and threats involved in the protagonists’ experiences. There is all you could want in a fantasy romance, including chases, sword fights, a giant, and a touch of magic – although too many kisses as far as the boy is concerned.
The trope of a love lost is a common one. Here, young Buttercup (actor Robin Wright in the film) dominates a shy farmhand Westley (Cary Elwes) on her small property in the fictional kingdom of Florin. Gradually, they reveal their mutual feelings, but he won’t commit until able to bring some wealth to their partnership, and so he sets out to make his fortune.
The orchestral backing is suitably restrained; played slowly and lightly at first, as if to echo the tentative yet warm connection that is unfolding between the pair.
When Westley is presumed dead at the hands of a pirate, Buttercup remains faithful to his memory, but five years later Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon) chooses her as his bride. All seems lost until the emergence of the cocky Dread Pirate Roberts, presenting completely in black clothing and mask. Buttercup does not take to him, even when he tries to tackle the key villains.
There are swordfights aplenty, and the orchestra matches the drama of the story’s fight scenes and frightening monsters with vigour. Swelling brass and spiralling strings are perfect companions to the ongoing escalation of danger.
Will Buttercup and Westley finally get together against all odds? If the answer is never really in doubt, the entertainment is in the suspense and how they get there.
True to the original score, Grigoryan does not get much opportunity to showcase his great talent. Just as Knopfler offered a reserved, sweet complement to the story in the movie, Grigoryan’s playing is distinct but not attention-grabbing. It comes to the foreground at the close, when the theme is most prominent and the orchestra steps back.
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For those who don’t already know the rest of The Princess Bride saga (and the avid audience at this concert definitely did), it is well worth seeing this very enjoyable family movie. As well as being humorous and heart-warming, it is self-aware: a heartfelt parody that repeatedly winks at the audience, although never outwearing that aspect.
Watching it at home, though, you won’t get the full and magical sound of an orchestra with all its rich embellishments. This performance added that lovely touch.
The Princess Bride in Concert with Slava Grigoryan was presented at the Festival Theatre on September 28 and 29 as part of the 2024 Adelaide Guitar Festival.
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