The Pirates of Penzance

The Pirates of Penzance

By W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan

Performed by St Davids Players

At The Barnfield Theatre on Thursday 9th October 2025

Directed and Designed by Nick Lawrence

Musical Director – Luke Stevenson

 

A ‘comic operetta’, Pirates of Penzance hits somewhere between an opera and a pantomime; written in the late 19th century, the story follows Frederic, a young man released from his indentures with the so-called pirates on what he thinks is his 21st birthday. As it turns out he was born on a leap year, so they therefore demand another 63 years of service. So very unfair as he states with such sadness “ then I am a pirate still”. This adaptation differed in that throughout the overture we first see an older man, in  fireside chair centre stage with a large book, reading to his supposed grandchild. The various characters enter, interacting with one another as they look over the old man’s shoulder and listen to the story he tells ( silently to the audience ). This continued through different scenes as a constant reminder to the audience that this was the telling of a story.

Frederic, played by Dan with a rich vocal performance was excellent; when he opened his mouth to sing, everyone listened.  His love interest, Mabel, played by Tony, a role she took on only a few weeks before curtain up, did a great job with amusing comedic touches. Beautifully supported by her ensemble of sisters and the daughters of the Major General Stanley’s. This group worked well together and provided gorgeous harmonies in ‘Climbing over Rocky Mountain’ and ‘Oh Dry the Glist’ning Tear’.  With a powerful voice and impressive characterisation, Edith, played by Amelia was prominent in this group and so watchable. 

James,  who played Major General Stanley is never disappointing and commands the stage. Dressed in a striped short legged onesie with attached sock braces, a pit helmet, shooting stick and later his dressing gown with a large medal pinned to it. He looked incredibly funny and his rendition of the patter song  ‘I am the Very Model of a Modern Major General’ was exquisitely performed. Every syllable sharp, every word heard and the very best I have ever witnessed. The Pirate King portrayed by George, dressed impeccably in tight red leather trousers, a red long dress coat, white blouson, long black boots and a cutlass hanging from his waist, raucously entered the stage with his scourge of pirates. He sang well and his portrayal was comedic, reminiscent of Kevin Kline’s performance in the 1980  Broadway production. The Pirates, each one with differing characterisation gave roaring performances which was a perfect contrast to the nervous and feeble policemen. The actor who portrayed Ruth, Hattie, I think stole the show with her powerful alto voice and her portrayal of a deviously love-struck woman who lusts after her charge, Frederick. She loses out to the younger Mabel; pleading to Frederick  ‘And Ruth, your own Ruth, whom you love so well, and who has won her middle-aged way into your boyish heart, what is to become of her’.  With super comic timing and a command of the script this was a memorable performance for me. 

As previously mentioned, the bumbling policemen, a force of complete incompetents, made their  entrance to a chorus of ‘Tarantara’ also known as ‘When The Foreman Bares His Steel’,  all with curiously odd expressions on each of their faces. This made the audience roar with laughter. The sergeant , played by Roger, had little or no control of his constables led ‘When a Felons Not Engaged in His Employment’ with confidence. The chorus, made up of Major General Stanley’s Daughters, Pirates and Policemen, seemed to have a whale of a time with some of G&S’ best-known tunes and ‘Hail Poetry’ in ‘Oh Men of Dark and Dismal Fate’ was beautifully sung. I have to mention the actors who played Samuel and James whose solo work was engaging and I particularly enjoyed the harmonies created when adding Samuel and James to ‘When you have left our Pirates’ lair’ into ‘Away away’ with Ruth, Frederic and the Pirate King.

The set was simple, with rocks placed at the rear of the stage and the cyclorama in Act 1 lit with blues and white and the use of haze. In Act 2 a number of headstones were added for the purpose of hiding behind by the cast. The lighting certainly enhanced the staging with use of oranges and yellow for daylight scenes which complimented the beautiful pastel gowns of the daughters. The costumes and props were just delightful. Ruth in her green skirt and bodice with white blouse below with the added green neckerchief and boater just made the character look brusque yet feminine.  The ‘seven pretty maidens’ with gorgeous parasols and the raucous pirates with their bullrushes!  I loved the use of the cannon ball knocking over the policeman like skittles in an alley.

Nick Lawrence has used clever touches to make this version of Pirates that little bit different, which enhanced the production and Luke Stevensons’ excellent control of the baton with the ten musicians of the orchestra was precise as always.

I thoroughly enjoyed this production as did the rest of the audience who cheered in appreciation.

 

Lyn Burgoyne   Noda Representative South West District 5 ( East and Mid Devon )

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