The Pirates of Penzance

To stage such a physically energetic show as this on a very small stage presents certain difficulties, not least is the sheer number of Daughters / Pirates / Police it is necessary to put on stage together.   BLOS, like so may societies, relied heavily on experienced and in some cases, shall I say, over 47 year olds as Pirates and Police.    Fortunately they had very many on stage who were well versed in the intricacies of the show's comic and vocal brilliance.

Director Jackie Shearer  sensibly did not overload the stage with cumbersome set, but used the space sparingly with rocks and gulls on stage flats left and right, plus a wooden bench.

Costumes were well presented with suitable bonnets for the daughters and with senior ladies as chaperones.    I see so many productions where there are no chaperones at all, which is quite wrong.   Not so here!    The pirates also had realistic looking pistols strapped to their belts, not always done elsewhere!

Young Frederic, the dutiful hero was played with panache and not a little humour by a charismatic and dashing, if  a little mature, Kevin Wood.   Examples - the pushing back and forth of the unwanted Ruth between Frederic and the Pirate King.    Better still were the "I saw a tart / I sore at heart" sung lines, enriched hugely by the horrified   faces of the well bred daughters and chaperones.   A far from new idea, of course, but really comedic when done well.

The 47 year old maid of all work, Ruth, was played to the hilt  by Dreen Legg, with presence aplenty.   Amazingly, she was the only member of the opposite sex that Frederic had seen hitherto since age eight.

Stephen Taylor graced the stage as a world weary, seen it all, yet somehow rather dim-witted Pirate King.   His rich and melodic baritone voice and skilfully nuanced acting and facial expressions really caught the eye.   Frederic, explained  to them (as one does a small child) "why they invariably get thrashed".   I imagine Andy Hoskins can count up to six (the minimum requirement for the am dram stage, I would venture), but his character Samuel, palpably and comically could not.   Gilbert and the admirable Ruth later revealed that all these hopeless pirates were previously peers "who had gone wrong" - plus ça change etc.   Don't worry Andy, I know you were only acting and that was a great deal better than your character's numeric skills.

The quaint and distinctly British custom of young ladies taking off their shoes and paddling, occurs every leap year on 29th February in "sunny" Penzance!     The sun was so bright that the Pirate King was able to accurately see it was exactly half past eleven.     Isabel - Hazel Eve - and Kate - Gill Eve - even brought a shrimping net which they dangled hopefully over the stage apron into the Cornish waters of Fetcham Village Hall, comically priceless and the director clearly had a  firm grasp of the rich absurdity  of the genius topsy turvy world inhabited by Gilbert.    Moreover, all the daughters could really sing and in impressive harmony.

I would highlight the splendid harmonies and dynamics used by the whole company in "Hail Poetry".

Another daughter who stood out was Edith, played with delightful charm by Tessa Lawn, with nicely contrasting emotions.

And so to Mabel, pretty, charming yet as tough as old boots.   I doubt that Selena Hegarty, for it was she, would dare to command the 21st century constabulary to "go and do their duty".   Her very much requited love for the upright Frederic was the love story underpinning this tapestry of wonderful absurdity.  Did I also mention she could sing and act beautifully?   Well, she definitely could and did.

When young ladies are in danger, quite correctly they call for their papa AKA Major General Stanley.   Michael Ayres played this devious and splendid old gent with elan.    His bristling facial hair was a definite plus too.     Orphan / often?   Confused?   Well, the Major General and Pirate King certainly were and in their confusion they entertained us royally. Michael handled the tricky patter song with panache and humour.

In true Gilbertian style the act concluded with the "orphaned" Major General becoming an honorary member of the pirates' band.   What could possibly be more natural!

Overcome with remorse at his falsehood, act 2 began with the old boy being comforted by his daughters.   An impressive ruined abbey was set with tombstones right and left and a prominent crescent moon.  The Major General in authentic looking dressing robe and nightcap, with half moon specs set the night time scene.    

Suddenly, Dad's Army, AKA the five policemen,  arrived, marching through the hall led by the splendid eyebrows of Sid Dolbear in the guise of Sergeant of Police.    Though small in number and mature in age these five coppers were little short of hilarious; knees knocked, one (Julian Warner-Edney) even chewed his truncheon in fear and they slapped their chests and sang "When the foeman bares his steel" led by the richly comic expressions of  Sid -  thus they stole the show.    When later they hid behind a few strands of paltry greenery, quaking in fear, yet unspotted by the "eagle-eyed" Pirates, the absurdity was at its best.    Bliss!    If you don't like scenes like this then clearly G&S is not for you!

Next came the paradox trio and the scene where a bemused Frederic was suddenly confronted with the fact that he was "as yet only five and a quarter" (in birthdays).   This whole scene and music was splendidly enacted and beautifully sung by Stephen, Dreen and Kevin.

Some of the maestro Sullivan's best music was then given rich vein by Selena and Kevin in "Stay Frederic Stay" and "Ah, leave me not ...".   This beautiful love duet, sung so movingly, was punctuated by the unforgettable facial expression on Selena's face at "It seems so long (1940)".   I have not seen it done better!

Enter the "boyish" policemen chastised by Mabel and one of the mighty Sullivan's best loved songs "When a Felon's ...." (the Policeman's song).   If I were in a Desert island Discs, this would be among my picks.   Well done Sergeant and Police!

After an amusing and well sung "Here's your Crowbar ...." (all the tools given out were in Ruth's bucket) by Andy as Samuel, we were treated to the melodic "Sighing softly to the River" with the Pirates and Police ......... while (supposedly) hidden from the Major General and his daughters.    Two pirates even danced "behind him" unseen in true Panto style.

As the Pirates pounced and the "heroic" Police confronted them, the battle raged back and forth and back again for fully er .... seven seconds!     Only when the great name of Queen Victoria was invoked, plus when her portrait and some Union Flags hove into view was peace restored.   It fell to the petite and talented Dreen as Ruth to reveal that the Pirates were noblemen "who had gone wrong".    Then all the daughters and pirates paired off and the splendid tale wound to its finale.

What stood out was that all the principals bar none had a deep knowledge of the style of G&S and this was aided in many cases by the smallness of the stage and the many individual touches. i.e. Pirate King crushing the "ill natured fairy" in his hand, the shrimping net, the dancing "behind you" pirates, Mabel's  1940 facial expression and the pushing back and forth of the unlovely Ruth and much more beside. It was good and unusual to see the black Cornish flags being used, a nice touch and accurate.

Director Jackie Shearer wrung every ounce of comedy and gave us a most enjoyable evening.   Gill Eve gave us some good choreography and costumes were splendidly worked by Jenny Hasted.

Roger Wilman the Musical Director achieved a high musical standard with some delightful harmonies and some really wonderful singing by many of the principals.   David Mortimer, the lone pianist, played sensitively throughout.

Roll on the next February 29th!!

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