The Pirates of Penzance

I really enjoyed this production right from the start. The set was very clever with the seashore and changing tent and I loved the advertising boards and it was complete with the pirate ship.

The production directed by Sally Whyte has been brought up to date, the Pirates look great with various different Rock star costumes to give each one a character of their own. Ian Rix is an excellent Pirate King, along with Charlie Daniels (Samuel) keeping the crew in check. Lucie Evans plays a super Ruth the Nanny who will be leaving the ship as her charge Frederic has now served out his apprenticeship with the Pirates. She admits that she misheard her instructions and should have made him a Pilot. Adam Davis is a Johnny Depp lookalike who is great in the role of Fredrick and sings the piece beautifully.

The girls are also very good in their roles and again all have individual characters, taking selfies and having fun. Steph Haywood (Kate) and Becky North (Edith) sing well.  Tamsin Fawn plays Mabel and, although she had been ill, made it for opening night and gave a good performance, and her and Adam worked very well together.

The entrance of the cross-dressing Major General (Peter Ansell) was very good coming through the audience in a tank, very funny and a nice touch.

The second half has some great numbers in it and I loved the Police Chorus, the Inspector Sam Coleman and female Sergeant Dawn Moses lead the others very well, complete with traffic warden, lollipop man and dog handler, complete with a dog on wheels, a lovely touch.

Stuart Darling is the Musical Director, and the orchestra play the score very well, there are a few great changes to the music which works very well. The company sing and act out the show with enthusiasm and are enjoying themselves which comes across. I liked ‘Hail Poetry’.

Well done to cast and crew a great evening’s entertainment.
 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.