Pirates of Penzance

“Blissfully Joyous"

Toss your worries overboard and join playful pirates, dewy-eyed damsels, bumbling Bobbies and one very stuffy Major-General on stage. Bring your friends and family to experience Gilbert and Sullivan’s classic Operetta because you won’t want to miss out on the fun.

Director / MD Richard Gregg has significantly streamlined the show to fit the small stage of Hartley’s Village Hall he has a cast made up of, a side singing chorus, who were note perfect and together with all the members of the cast, belt out Gilbert and Sullivan tunes with clear, loud voices and lots of heart and no mics!! The leads: David Menezes as Frederick, superb voice and acting ability; Vernon Lease, a rosy-cheeked, rotund character, perfect for this part as the Pirate King; Sean McDermott as the Major-General, this man controlled the stage and was excellently cast; Ruth, Shirley-Anne O’Dam and Elaine Jermyn as Mabel, are particularly skilled and great facial nuances from Shirley, putting a tremendous amount of energy into their performances. Elaine along with her chums controlled the stage when needed, as did Mike Hickie with his Policemen/Women in “A policeman’s lot”, the audience couldn’t help but be carried along. The cast performed ably and seemed to be having a lot of fun.

Richard Gregg’s direction and Janice Boyns-Redway’s choreography, was carefully thought through and executed superbly, moving the cast expertly on such a small stage. I believe that Richard, as well as being MD/Director, was set designer as well, this proves such talent, as the set was masterly designed and constructed.

Costumes were not typical for pirates but it worked and I loved the black and white theme running throughout… And all that leather !!!!

With just one piano, accompanied by Mark Andrew, this all translates into a cheery carefree delightful evening's entertainment.

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