The Pirates of Penzance

The Pirates of Penzance a Gilbert and Sullivan Comic Opera staged by Crosby Gilbert and Sullivan Society at Southport Little Theatre, Hoghton Street, Southport on Friday, 11th April, 2025.

‘Pirates’ is a comedic tale that follows the journey of the ‘handsome young’ Frederic, who is mistakenly apprenticed to a pirate (instead of a pilot). Whilst serving his apprenticeship he falls head-over-heels in love with Mabel, one of the daughters of Major-General Stanley. Frederic is due to be released from his apprenticeship on his 21st birthday, or so he believes, but reaching that milestone, he hits a snag (read the small print!). Being born on the 29th February (a leap year), Frederic realises that he’s technically still a youngster... just 5¼ years old and having had only 5 ACTUAL BIRTHDAYS, he’s 16 more birthdays to go, before he’ll be apprenticeship free ... I think the year 1940 was mentioned! Although still very much in love with Mabel, his dedication to duty is unshakeable... will he find a way to live the happily-ever-after with Mabel... only time will tell! 

I’ve never tried to hide the fact that Gilbert & Sullivan is not a genre that I’m a particular expert on, but the more I see, the more I read, the more I learn, the more I appreciate the wonderful blends of witty dialogue, the catchy melodies and those delightfully absurd situations which have been captivating audiences for many, many years. But what I do know a little more about is stage presence, characterisation, voice, mannerisms, movement, energy, enthusiasm, chemistry, storytelling, comic timing and when people are enjoying themselves and when audiences are appreciative in what they’ve seen staged.  

The Production Team... guiding the cast through this most popular of comic operas, we had the ever so experienced Bruce Graham (Director) and David Goulden (Musical Director) with Emma Williams (Choreographer) providing some simple yet effective movement. The direction was well conceived, groupings were mostly good, entrances and exits were well planned and I think it was obvious from the start that these three knew exactly what they wanted from this piece. We had a fine cast, who were well rehearsed and as soon as those curtains parted, were ready to give us their all!   

The Cast... we had a cast of thirty-two ...Principals:  Jonathan Taylor played ‘Major General Stanley’; Simon Killeen played ‘The Pirate King'; James Fleming took the role of ‘Samuel’; Peter Crichton playing ‘Frederic’; Ian Dunning took the role of ‘Sergeant of Police’; the Daughters of Major-General Stanley ... ‘Mabel’, ‘Edith’, ‘Kate’, ‘Isabel’, being played respectively by Sally Crichton-Shaw, Heather Boguslawska-Taylor; Emma Williams; Izabela Madejek-Jaszczuk; and ‘Ruth’ (a Pirate Maid of all Work) was played by Elaine Williams.  Ladies and Gentlemen of the Chorus...  Joan Ashcroft, Helen Bennett, Toni Buxton, Isobel Cope, Susanne Denner, Julie Gill, Honor Grantham, Susie Grubert, Josie Hardman, Sarah Killeen, Viki Patterson, John Carter, Dennis Catterall, Nicholas Cooper, Patrick Crampton, Geoffrey Gleadall, Andrew Langley, David Seager, David Sidley, Gerry Smith, Rick Walker, Richard Woodley. 

I’m never one to ‘sit on the fence’, so I’d like to share, with you, my four favourite characters or groups, one of which is MY Showstealer. These are MY favourites, you’ll no doubt have your own, but these were mine starting with MY ‘Showstealer’... which had to be Jonathan Taylor and his portrayal of Major General Stanley. Jonathan just oozed confidence, creating this wonderful character, the scheming father! Jonathan ‘sang and acted his socks off’ throughout. Blessed with great diction (don’t think I missed a word) and with good tone to his voice, I loved his rendition of the patter song... ‘I’m the Model of a Modern Major-General’.  His subtle comic touches, along with his stuttering, shuffling gait were effective, funny and complimented this role to great effect.  Loved the ‘little waltz’ with the ghost and loved the scene that opened Act 2 in the ‘graveyard’ with his many daughters and the ‘wringing out of his handkerchiefs’ as he fears the consequences of his lies about being an orphan ... be proud Jonathon good job!  You could tell that Simon Killen was loving playing the ‘Pirate King’ ... another great character created and I for one just wanted to be one of his crew... well done Simon, good job! I don’t think I can move much further forward without including the Ladies and Gentlemen’s Chorus in my favourites and I include Mabel, Edith, Kate, Isabel and Ruth in this! The ladies looked stunning in their fabulous dresses, the guys in their pirate and police attire, their vocals and harmonies throughout were great and they all should be congratulated on the way they supported the principals. PS... loved the ‘Dad’s Army’ lookalikes ... the six constables and Sgt Sergeant Ian Dunning ... great vocals, ever so funny even just by their looks!  Final favourite and I’m cheating a little by pairing ‘Frederic and Mabel’ as one ... Peter Crichton and Sally Crichton-Shaw, a real-life husband and wife duo, who thankfully had chemistry, but if I’m honest, I did feel that Peter was, shall we say a little over 21, but still provided us a good portrayal as Frederic. Sally, look the part, yet I felt her pain as she struggled vocally, especially in Act 2, with the effects of a cold. But like all great “troupers”, she came out, gave it
her all and there’s little more anyone can ask!  Congrats one and all... an entertaining evening!

Orchestra... the thirteen-piece orchestra was led by the ever so talented and animated Musical Director David Goulden. David has that undeniable talent to bring an orchestra to life. I really do love watching an MD in full control... not sure which song it was, but we had more or less the entire cast on stage ... I couldn’t take my eyes off David as he raised or lowered his hands or made a fist to tell them to stop... every eye was on him – such tangible respect!  His orchestra: Janet Hitchen (Leader - 1st Violin); Jacqueline Burrows (2nd Violin); Fiona Hinde (Viola); Rev Gregor Cuff (Cello); Tom Goulding (Double Bass); Helena Cooke (Flute/Piccolo); William Lacey-Kiggins (Oboe); Pamala Lyon /Jacqueline Thomas (Clarinets); Carole Lormor (Bassoon); Ian Cull (Trumpet); Emma Lenehan (French Horn); Paul Stanley (Trombone); Geoff Brain (Percussion). Great sound, great balance between singers and orchestra ... subtle when needed, colourful and stirring when required... be proud!

Staging/Tech ... staging was simple yet effective... Act 1’s sea scape/beach with pillars, displaying what looked like shells and rocks stage left and right framing the stage.  Act 2 was dominated by a graveyard type scene with a ruined building and gravestones.  In charge of all things on stage was Paul-James Green (Stage Manager) and Jamie Boland (DSM). Lighting was simple, as was the Sound under the watchful eye of Rob Murtagh and Ewan Harris/Amy Hughes respectively.

Wardrobe... stunning costumes enhanced this production so much! Loved the lady’s dresses, so colourful, light and bright contrasting with the heavy pirate costumes and those Policeman uniforms all of which added so much, provided by the Costume Shop. What was noticeable was the correct gent’s footwear, well done guys!  Props… were relative to the period and used well … under the watchful eye of Helen Bennett.

Thank you so much for inviting my wife and I, we thoroughly enjoyed our evening and thanks to everyone for their warm welcome and hospitality throughout... really appreciated.  Hope to see you
all again soon.

Keep safe and stay well….  
“Stronger Together”
Jim Briscoe
NODA NW
District 6 Rep

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