The Pirates of Penzance

Gilbert & Sullivan’s comic opera, The Pirates of Penzance, is packed full of sentimental pirates, blundering policemen, absurd adventures and improbable paradoxes. Frederic, a pirate’s apprentice, falls head over heels in love with Mabel, the daughter of Major General Stanley. Frederic is due to be released from his apprenticeship on his 21st birthday, but there’s a snag. Born on 29 February, Frederic discovers that he is technically still a youngster. Although very much in love, his dedication to duty is unshakeable, but there must be a way to live happily ever-after with Mabel.

This production under the direction of Meriel Ford and MD Tim Goodall provided a different opening than usual. A self -professed G&S geek, Meriel decided to mirror as close as possible a D’Oyly Carte Premiere in the UK arranged with great haste to be staged simultaneously as a Premiere in New York So the announcement and excitement is captured by the company in the opening sequence.

Then to the actual performance – the opening number ‘Pour, oh pour, the pirate sherry’ was sung with gusto and this was followed by ‘When Fred’ric was a little lad’ sung by Ruth who has always cared for him. This was well put over as Sim Small sang with great personality. ‘Oh better far to live and die ‘ sang by Pirate King Paul Ellis, gave this and his performance in general all the right treatment. Samuel Taunton as Frederic, learns that Ruth has deceived him and is perhaps not as beautiful as others, again expresses himself in fine voice.

Instead he falls for Mabel played well by Bev Butler, also in fine voice with the well-known ‘Poor Wand’ring one’ . Mabel’s father and father to many others, Major General Stanley enters and objects to his girls being married to pirates – the not so easy patter song ‘I am the very model’ (Of a modern Major General) was sang with efficiency and great style by Mark Tooby. Act 1 closed  with great strength by the company including ‘Hail Poetry!’ which was glorious.

Good support was also provided by Rachael Hall as Edith, Zanna Tooby (Helen Lenoir) Charlotte Cummings (Isabel), Zero Butler (Kit),  Fi Pugh (Samuel) and  Mike Pugh as James.

Highlights in Act 2 included ‘When the foeman bears his steel’ and particularly ‘When a felon’s not engaged’ sang with amusing clarity by Police Sergeant Tim Cranmore and the trios of Frederic, Ruth and the Pirate King, when their voices blended beautifully. ‘With cat-like tread’ was also a strong number by the chorus of pirates and police.

Good support and complimentary facial expressions were added throughout by the chorus, who were all well-dressed. The set as usual looked good and piano accompaniment was all that was necessary to enable the singers to be heard. Congratulations.

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