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The model of a modern operetta
The Pirates of Penzance
Wolverhampton Grand
**** THERE is something particularly English
about Gilbert & Sullivan, occupying the seaside, end of the pier realms
of opera just as panto lives in the sillier end of theatre. And the Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company are
helping to ensure that our nation’s contribution to operatic daftness is
preserved with find productions such as this lively Pirates. The company was formed 20 years ago for the first
International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival in Buxton with some original
members of the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company as principals and an amateur
chorus. Twenty years on the company is fully professional
and this year has embarked on its first tour on its way to open and
close the 21st G&S festival in Harrogate in August when it
will present four productions in 10 performances. Incidentally David Steadman was in charge of
music for that first performance of Yeoman of the Guard in 1994 and last
night was still there, conducting excellent The National Festival
Orchestra. Director John Savournin has done a good job in
keeping what is a 135 year-old operetta fresh as a daisy helped by a
little tweak of dialogue here and there and some great comic moments,
particularly from the excellent Richard Gauntlett as Major General
Stanely, a rather model soldier one might add. In the rapid I am the Very Model of a Modern
Major General he did not put a word wrong and most were clearly
audible, which is no mean feat singing at that speed while he produced
some lovely touches incluing a second act dance. Full marks as well to choreographer Damian Czarnecki who managing to get 10 sisters and ten pirates moving as one while giving the Chorus of Police an amusing air of Keystone Cops about them, even producing squirrel glove puppets as part of a disguise at one point.
Savournin, doubles up as The Pirate King, looking
for all intents and purposes, like Captain Hook from Peter Pan, showing
a decent voice an a swashbuckling manner while Frederic, played by Nick
Allen, is our somewhat wimpy hero who has been apprenticed to a pirate
by mistake. Allen makes a decent fist out of being a decent chap, bound by duty even when the paradox of birth is revealed which extends his apprenticeship to 84 years! He has a pleasant voice particularly in duets
with the Pirate King and his one true love Mabel, beautifully sung by
Elinor Moran who leads an exceptional chorus of her ten sisters who were
always acting, whether pulling faces, taking to each other or reacting.
Nice to see a chorus where no one is walk on scenery. Bruce Graham gives us a man who knows he has lost
before he starts in the Sergeant of Police leading his amusing
constabulary while there is good support from the sisters, the pirates
and Matthew Kellett as the Pirate King’s trusted right had man, Samuel,
as well as Sylvia Clarke as Ruth, the Pirate maid of all work, although
perhaps her sound could be looked at as her words came out a bit
muffled. The set design is simple letting the still clever
words speak for the performance in what is a thoroughly entertaining
evening. To 28-06-14 Roger Clarke
The company stage Pirates again 0n 25-06-14, then Iolanthe on Thursday and Friday before ending their visit to the Grand with The Mikado on Saturday, 28-06-14. 24-06-14 And from the poop deck . . . ***** SHIVER me timbers, this outstanding company opened a week-long visit to the Black Country with a joyful performance of Pirates, awash with clever British humour. The extremely talented cast
didn’t miss a trick in the amusing tale set on a rocky seashore in
Cornwall, and Damian Czarnecki’s choreography lit up the
production, particularly with the chorus of girls and the hilarious
scene featuring Sergeant of Police Bruce Graham and his terrified cops. Nick Allen sang well as young
Frederic, the slave of duty mistakenly attached to a pirate instead of a
pilot by the family nursemaid Ruth (Sylvia Clarke), and the fun really
starts when his ‘apprenticeship’ comes to an end and a paradox is
revealed. A fine performance from
director John Savournin as the Pirate King, whose gang of cutthroats
have a soft spot when it comes to fighting orphans, is matched by
Richard Gauntlett’s skill in the role of Major-General Stanley, ten of
whose unmarried daughters wore specs . . . and we never discovered why. Elinor Moran was a delight as
Mabel who fell in love with Frederic. Her singing of Poor Wand’ring
One proved to be one of many highlights. The company stage Iolanthe on
Thursday and Friday before ending their visit to the Grand with The
Mikado on Saturday. Paul Marston
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