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The Pirates of Penzance

Author: Julie Petrucci

Information

Date
17th June 2016
Society
Cambridgeshire Light Opera Group
Venue
Downing Farm Barn, Swaffham Bulbeck
Type of Production
Musical
Director
Lynne Bullen
Musical Director
Angela Roebuck
Choreographer
Lynne Bullen

Gilbert and Sullivan were obviously aware of the importance of the orchestra in their productions.  Indeed, Musical Director and Conductor Angela Roebuck and her orchestra were an extra member of the cast having virtually the first ten minutes of the evening to show off their skills in a lively and melodious overture getting Swaffham Bulbeck Summer Theatre’s annual offering, this year The Pirates of Penzance, off to an excellent start.  

SBST are blessed with both high-quality principal singers and a first-rate chorus.  Without exception the singing throughout was excellent.  John Yates as Samuel was a good foil for Richard Morris who commanded the stage as the Pirate King whilst Lisa Bullen revelled in the role of Ruth, showing her talents to good effect.  William Hale was the very model of a Major General with a mix of bluff and pathos. He was obviously enjoying his role as much as the audience. Gavin Jarvis as Frederic and Anna Murgatroyd as Mabel worked very well together both in complementary singing and acting. Both have splendid voices  Caille Peri, Sian Dowson and Ruth Dennis gave first-rate support as the General’s daughters Edith, Kate and Isabel respectively. 

However, as with all Gilbert & Sullivan operettas, the principals are nothing without excellent backup from the chorus.  Great support too from the ensemble of Daughters, Pirates and Policemen all of whom complemented the principals with some splendid chorus singing.  Under the leadership of Geoff Reed as the Sergeant the policemen's "Tarantara" was great fun. 

The effort which goes into transforming David and Carol Turner’s huge barn every year is phenomenal. Not only is attention paid to the stage design but the auditorium doesn’t get overlooked and well done Kay and George Ballard for the décor there.  The set constructed by Peter Bullen and John Latham and designed and painted courtesy of Natasha Flores was more than up to SBST usual high standard.  It is always intriguing to see how the complete set change between acts one and two are achieved.  

Contributions from Stage Manager David Hincks and his stage crew coupled with impressive lighting designed by David Stubbings and his team was excellent. The costumes, particularly the ladies’ elegant evening dresses, were very good: although I must say this show had the cleanest pirates I have ever seen.  With such a very large cast space was at a premium therefore choreography was minimal but it was carried out well. 

Director Lynne Bullen and her team provided a very enjoyable and light-hearted evening carrying on the long and proud tradition of excellent G&S productions by Swaffham Bulbeck Summer Theatre in Downing Farm barn.

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