UK Theatre Network

Carl Rosa Opera present

Gilbert & Sullivan’s

The Pirates of Penzance

If you’re a fan of Gilbert & Sullivan you will love this. If you’re not yet a fan, come and see this performance and I suspect you soon will be.  This Victorian classic has stood the test of time and is a superb vehicle for the introduction of light opera. What more could you want, the panache of a gang of pirates, the beauty of a bevy of maidens, a squad of bumbling yet lovable policemen, a silver tongued major general and one of Gilbert’s unlikely plots where once again simple mistakes turn lives upside down. This is supported by Sullivan’s music which is of a quality far exceeding what was common in contemporary theatre (Sullivan’s desire to produce serious music led to later rows in the partnership and eventual estrangement).

To do this music justice needs some serious musicians which is exactly what it gets in the eighteen piece Carl Rosa Opera Orchestra conducted by Martin Handley. It also requires some superb voices, which this cast provides in spades. Whilst the whole cast have excellent voices particular mention must be made of Rebecca Knight (one half of the chart topping duo OperaBabes) who takes the role of Mabel. Rosemary Ashe is reprising her role as Ruth which she formerly played in 2006 with the degree of skill you would expect from someone whose credits virtually fill the page of the programme.

The role of Pirate King is taken by Paul Nicholas, who remains eye candy even though he is older than me (I will reveal neither of our ages, but he was in the original production of Hair in 1969). His charisma and that famous winning smile make him ideal for this part.  Stephen Brown plays a modest yet powerful Frederic, the hero of the piece.  Barry Clark gives us a wonderful Major General Stanley with an excellent rendition of the patter song I am the very model of a modern major general and although Bruce Graham was born and educated in Scotland he provided a totally convincing Cornish Sergeant of Police.  However, my favourite performance was that of Michael Kerry as the pirate king’s lieutenant.

As is traditional two sets were used, the first being a Cornish cove and the second the graveyard of the Major General’s manor, both are to be commended in terms of their construction and effectiveness. An additional effect was provided by a long length of blue cloth which became the sea when somebody carried a cut out of a boat over it. Mention should also be made of the hilarious puppet show used to illustrate the pilot/pirate confusion.

The word that springs to mind when describing the costumes is lush. These range from the thigh boots, silks, beads and feathers of the pirates through the military dress uniform of the Major General to the Victorian dresses (complete with half bustle) of the young ladies. Further authenticity is provided by the period uniforms of the policemen and the nightdresses in later scenes.

If you can only go to the theatre once this year, this production has to be a major contender, it provides superlative music, singing, acting, choreography, costume and sets in a comic opera which has been running since 1879.

The Pirates of Penzance plays Milton Keynes Theatre from Tuesday 11^th May to Saturday 15^th May 2010. Milton Keynes Theatre Box Office 0844 871 7652 (bkg fee).

The tour then continues playing Theatre Royal Newcastle from 18^th to 22^nd May 2010.

Hall for Cornwall Truro from 25^th to 29^th May 2010.

Sheffield Theatres from 7^th to 12^th June 2010.

www.miltonkeynestheatre.com www.carlrosaopera.co.uk

Reviewed by Sue Marks at Milton Keynes Theatre on Tuesday 11^th May 2010.