The Pirates of Penzance

‘The Pirates of Penzance’ or ‘The Slave of Duty’, written in 1879, is a well-known comic opera written by the talented duo Arthur Sullivan and W.S Gilbert.  Grantham Operatic Society have taken this essentially Victorian story and set it in the 1950s era while still preserving the charm and wit.  The operetta features popular songs such as ‘Poor Wanderin’ One’ ‘When a Felon’s not engaged in his employment’ and ‘With Cat like Tread.’  

Following a spritely overture, we are introduced to the Pirates led by the Pirate King carousing and celebrating.    We learn that young Frederic, a naïve eager young man played by Leigh Bridge, who due to a misheard instruction (Pilot NOT Pirate!), has been apprenticed for 21 years to the Pirate King (a flamboyant Kieran Owen.)  Frederic is accompanied by his former nurse maid Ruth (a feisty Elaine Bishop) who has been acting as a ‘maid of all work’ to the pirates.  Frederic is now 21 years of age, and his apprenticeship has finally ceased allowing him to go out and explore the world free from his duty to the pirates.

Before he leaves, Frederic tells them that as free man, he will obviously ensure their destruction but through a sense of duty as a former pirate. he admonishes them by saying they are too ‘tender hearted’ and easily duped by their victims.  This is because as they are all orphans they have a compassion and understanding for fellow orphans consequently anyone they meet simply claims to be an orphan and is subsequently released. Frederic begs the pirate King to come with him, but he is far too happy being a Pirate which he believes to be a more honourable profession and confirms that he will live and die a Pirate King.

Frederic departs the pirate ship taking Ruth with him much to the pirate’s delight.  Frederic, who has never seen another woman apart from Ruth questions her whether she is beautiful.  Ruth endeavours to assure him that she is a ‘fine woman’ and Frederic agrees to marry her as she would surely never deceive him.  Suddenly, we hear giggles, and the ladies chorus ‘gentle maidens’ come into view clambering enthusiastically over chairs to reach the centre stage.  Frederic quickly realises that Ruth has been less than truthful and sends Ruth away and announces himself to the ladies. They inform him they are daughters of Major-General Stanley, and they are not interested in him at all and certainly wouldn’t marry a former pirate. 

Frederic is crestfallen but then Mabel appears (Lottie Morris.)  She is delighted to meet Frederic and sings rapturously and at length about her feelings and obviously the two fall instantly in love.  Without warning (although we have seen them creeping up!) the pirates attack intending to claim the remaining daughters for their wives. 

Then Major General Stanley (David Wright) appears and introduces himself in a furiously paced patter song, aided by his daughters, and demands to know what is going on. He objects strongly to his daughters’ becoming wives to pirates and when threatened by the Pirate King, the General claims that he is an orphan thus ensuring the pirates sympathy.

So, as we enter the second act, we discover that Major General Stanley is guilt ridden about his false claim to be an orphan as he has dishonoured the memory of the ancestors.  We also meet the hilarious band of policemen led by their Sergeant (Paul Connor) who have a less than enthusiastic attitude towards the daily problems faced in their duties and a total lack of enthusiasm for dying at the hands of the blood thirsty pirates. 

The Pirate King also has another ‘sense of duty’ for Frederic which puts an unexpected kibosh on his impending marriage to Mabel.  Will the pirates carry out their threats and seek bloody revenge on the duplicitous Major-General Stanley and will Mabel finally get to marry her Frederic?  Obviously, everything ends happily with an unexpected twist ensuring a joyous finale.

Directed by Adam Bishop, who also features in the chorus, we have a swashbuckling rip-roaring production that never drops the pace.  Set in the beautiful interior of St Wulfram’s church, every area was used to maximum effect.  Stone columns were used to secrete stalking Pirates and cowardly policemen while various entrances and exits from different parts of the church ensured the audiences’ continual interest.  The production was ‘theatre in the round’ (or should that be square?!) with the use a simple three-tiered platform featuring a flat area where most of the action took place.  The areas on the other platforms were also used to good effect as the performers rotated around to ensure that all sides of the audience received a good view.  

Costumes were bright and colourful with a red and black palette for the pirates and bright 50s style dresses with petticoats for some of the ladies’ chorus.

All the principals played their parts very well ably supported by a strong chorus highlighting the society’s passion for inclusivity allowing everyone to take part and contribute.  Standout performances for me however were Elaine Bishop as Ruth who started as a meek servant to the pirates but following the discovery of the hilarious ‘paradox’ changed into a feisty blood-thirsty Pirate Queen teasing and taunting poor Frederic with the news that he would have to remain a pirate until 2040. The paradox due to a mix up with a leap year birthday was hilarious, and she played the part with obvious relish.   

Lottie Morris as Mabel was an absolute delight, and her facial expressions and little skips were adorable.  Her beautiful voice soared flowing effortlessly across the challenging score.  Kieran Owen’s assured vocals made for a commanding Pirate King as he swaggered languidly across the stage obviously savouring every comedy moment.  David Wright as Major General Stanley was impressive with his vocal dexterity with the pacey signature patter song. I particularly liked his exasperated admonishment of the police and his gentler ‘Softly Sighing to the River.’  Another mention to Paul Connor as the Sergeant of Police singing ruefully about his reluctance to deprive someone of their freedom despite having committed terrible crimes.  I also liked the police officers’ truncheons trembling with obvious fear at their impending slaughter! Leigh Bridge, although not possessing a traditional G&S voice, created his character of Federic well and his duets with Mabel were lovely.

The real stars of the show must be the incredible band comprising of musical director Samantha Kerby-Hall, violinist Becky Taylor and percussionist Nigel Howitt.  Samantha powered through the challenging score with apparent ease. Some of the most spine-tingling moments were the acapella pieces where the voices created a wall of sound that echoed beautifully around the church.

From the moment David and I entered the church, we were given the warmest welcome and provided with programmes and posters courtesy of Elaine.  It was also lovely to have the opportunity to meet the cast after the show and I recognised lots of faces from ‘The Addams Family’ including a lovely young lady who had been in the chorus.  Thank you again for your kind hospitality and a wonderful production that had the audience members mouthing along with the words!  The lovely couple sitting next to me thoroughly enjoyed it and so did I.  Looking forward to seeing your next production ‘Kiss Me Kate.’

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© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.