Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, despite the frequency with which amateur groups produce them, are not easy things to put across. If they are not done with the utmost care and finesse, even though technical flaws are mimimized, they will not create the impression of real Gilbert and Sullivan.

From the technical point of view, this year's Leverett production is excellent for a House group. There is a full "orchestra" and a colorful set, a highly competent cast, and well-paced direction. But withal, the Bunnies never quite caught the spirit of a true Savoyard piece.

In the cast, only David Black in the title role and Alan Miller as the curate really managed to transcend their parts. They were the charlatan and the bumbler,, two types always showered with the gems of Gilbert's word-patterns, and they carried to the audience the spriteliness that is necessary for a true appreciation of the operetta. Mary Bartlett as the heroine and Yolanda Lyons as her mother sang forcefully, but David Shapiro, the "hero," was unfortunately rendered almost inaudible every time the orchestra climbed above mezzoforte, wihch it did often.

Joel Mandelbaum gave an energetic, if somewhat officious, direction to the orchestra, a motley collection of strings and wind. The overture gave promise of an uncomfortable evening, but after the curtain opened the musicians settled down and provided a steady and lively enough accompaniment to the singers.

"The Sorcerer," in its opening performance, was good fun, but it was not real G & S. Perhaps in the next three nights, with technical matters pretty well settled, the cast will be able to instill in itself a bit more of the ruddy old Savoyard enthusiasm.