Pirates of Penzance

This production of Pirates was advertised as the Broadway version but was in large part pretty traditional. Good costumes, great set and choreography shared out between three people very well done. The orchestra under the direction of Mark Perry was excellent.

The Pirate King ( Jack Powell) did well and looked every inch the part; Frederick (Charlie Leigh) came over well and had a good singing voice as did Mabel (Frankie Parry) although she needed to hang on to her top notes, none the less a super performance.

Major General Stanley (Mike Killoran) acted and sang wonderfully well, the part was tailor made for him, he gave a superb performance especially 'I am the very model of a Modern Major General'.

Ruth (Debra Butler) gave a great performance, with a super accent and well 'Oh False one, you Deceived me' performed with Frederick came over well.

Samuel (Mike Hamilton) got it just right, as did Hugh Chudley as the Sergeant, Hugh puts his all into whatever part he has, and along with the other policeman, sent up their roles with relish as defined by the Broadway version.

The sisters looked super and were obviously enjoying themselves as were the chorus.

A general comment, G&S depends for its impact on the very witty and clever words as well as the much loved and familiar music and in some places there was a lack of clarity, so that the words were lost. There is a particular G&S 'voice' and not all the performers achieved it at all times.

On the Evening I attended, the audience really enjoyed it and it was nice to see G&S as a change from some of the newer shows and so well done. Congratulations to the Director Anne Killoran.

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