Pirates of Penzance

“The Pirates of Penzance”; or, “The Slave of Duty” written by Sr Arthur Sullivan and W. S. Gilbert is a comic opera in two acts, The story is about Frederic, who was mistakenly apprenticed to a band of Pirates, but now having reached his twenty first birthday he is to be released from his apprenticeship.He meets Mabel, the daughter of Major-General Stanley, and they fall in love. Frederic sees his opportunity to atone for his life of piracy and agrees to lead the police, to the pirate's lair. But unfortunately, Frederic is told that he is a leap year baby having been born on the 29th of February, so, he only has a birthday every four years meaning technically he is only five years old, and he is still apprenticed to the pirates for another sixty-three years. As Frederic has a strong sense of duty, reluctantly he agrees to re-join the Pirates and tells them of the plans to storm their lair, happily Mable has said she will wait for him not matter what.
Of all the Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas I think I can say that the “Pirates of Penzance” is my favourite, so I was really looking forward to this semi staged concert version by the Hoghton Players and happily I have to say that I was not at all disappointed as this was an upbeat very entertaining production with good enjoyable singing and colourful costumes which enhanced and brought authenticity to production.
As this was a concert version of the show there was very little libretto used, so the story was told by a witty narrator namely Ian Wells who very smoothly helped us move from scene to scene which made it very easy to follow the story. Conductor and Musical Director Ian Dunning had gathered together an enthusiastic, and talented cast that were obviously well rehearsed, resulting in a very good interpretation of this well-loved show. The principle cast all sang very well, with enthusiasm and confidence, and worked  as a team, to make this an enjoyable evening for the audience, they included Peter Crichton who performed strongly and sang very well as Pirate Apprentice, and birthday boy Frederic, he was complemented nicely by Sally Shaw who looked the part and gave a lovely performance in the role of Mabel, one of Major General Stanley’s daughters. Keith Cawdron as the Pirate King had a lovely rich tone to his voice, while Andrew Lamb was an excellent Major General Stanley, making a very good job of“ I am the very Model of a Modern Major General”.Ruth who had been Frederic’s nursemaid and mistakenly apprenticed him to a Pirate instead of a Pilot was nicely played in this performance by Iris Kelly and Peter Dunning was first-rate and very comedic as the Sergeant of Police, who along with his fellow policemen performed a very funny scene enjoyed by all. Other roles were played by Pat Maitland as Edith, Caroline Grindley and Robin White shared the role (on different  nights)of Kate and Ray Dutton was Samuel.The chorus performed with lots of enthusiasm, sang with confidence and supported the principle cast very well, they all appeared to be enjoying themselves which came across to the audience.I have to say the rendition of “Hail Poetry” was probably one of the best I have heard. The cast were accompanied and supported by the talented experienced Ann Dickinson on the piano. Well done to all involved in this entertaining concert and thank you for inviting us we had a lovely evening.
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Ros Purcell played Mabel, the Major General was played by Arthur Baines or Thomas Corcoran and Ruth was played by Alison Davies at other performances

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