The Pirates of Penzance

I only caught part of this show (from the Major General's entrance) on a recent showing on Sky TV in the UK and it restored my faith that G&S can be adapted with sensitivity for new audiences. I thought Jon English turned in a superb performance as the Pirate King and the comic scenes were played for all they were worth without (mostly) becoming unfunny. Choregoraphy - especially with the police in the second act was first class. A couple of minor quibbles - not sure why it was necessary to bring in the trio from Ruddigore - it seems fashionable these days to "cross-dress" so to speak and although this actually worked quite well it wasn't really necessary. The Swinglettes as a take off of the Andrews Sisters was superb but unfortunately it also meant that Edith was hardly distinguishable from the rest of the daughters when she has a decent part in the original score. Minor points, though, you could hear the audience absolutely loving it and it kept far enough on the traditional side of the line without being stuffy - Gilbert may have shuffled uncomfortably in his grave but he would not, I think, have turned right over. Well done all - even if it was thirteen years ago! Jonathon Clark, London

Having been highly entertained by HMS Pinafore(the last of the productions performed by this group), I immediately sat down to watch The Pirates of Penzance. When I first put in the DVD, they seemed to have done a recap of The Mikado, which made me think "did I put in the wrong DVD". Then the production started, without the overture but more a glimpse of "oh dry thy glistening tear..." going straight into "pour oh pour".

This Pirates of Penzance was highly entertaining for what it was, which was good tongue-in-cheek fun. "Purists" mayn't like it I agree, the orchestra is synthesised and some of the dialogue is added with a sense of improvisation too. But my advice is take it for what it is, that way you may enjoy it. I am a Gilbert and Sullivan fan, and especially of this operetta, and I certainly did enjoy it. As far as these G&S production go with this troupe, which was this, The Mikado and HMS Pinafore, I did prefer HMS Pinafore for its pace and energy, like I said in my review for that notice how the male chorus in general rarely stop moving, but as an overall operetta I am more fond of Pirates, then again it was also my first G&S.

My only real disappointment really was "Ah Leave me not to Pine". Don't get me wrong, it was beautifully sung by Simon Gallagher and Helen Donaldson, but I did find the overall speed too slow. Everything else though I enjoyed immensely. Even with the added dialogue, tempo and key changes, how the story unfolds and the various characters, it remained hugely entertaining and never stodgy right up to the last second. The costumes and sets are very good, with smooth transitions from set to set and the costumes at least look as though they belong in a G&S production.

The dialogue is often hilarious, especially the Pirate King's digs at the orchestra and conductor, which happened in Pinafore too, and the whole orphan/often exchange. There are also some inspired physical comedy, the funniest being the Major General and the flowers in the first act. The story while slightly standard perhaps in structure is so full of funny scenes, amazing music and droll lyrics you are past caring. And the choreography particularly with the policemen was camp but in a refreshing way, while the orchestration and arrangements were good.

The performers all give their all. Simon Gallagher is dashing and has phrasing(his long high note is phenomenal!) and a voice that makes your heart melt, and Helen Donaldson has a wondrous colouratura quality, any larger she would have been at home in Donizetti and Verdi. Ruth, played very well by Toni Lamond, is suitably sympathetic, the sisters were hilarious and the choruses sounded great. The comedic performers fared best though, Derek Metzger is a brilliant Major General not only perfectly nailing the mannerisms but the comic timing too, the chief policeman- a brilliant Tim Tyler- has a presence, flexibility and movement of the stage to die for, and while I think he was slightly overworked in "Cat Like Tread" Jon English's Pirate King is worth the DVD viewing alone, not only is his delivery spot on but he is a daredevil on stage.

All in all, very entertaining. 9/10 Bethany Cox

I love 'The Pirates of Penzance'! Jon English, Simon Gallaher and Derek Metzger are all fantastic as their respective characters. My favourite person in this is Helen Donaldson, who is an absolutely adorable Mabel. Her voice is lovely and she hits every high note. She looks like a 10-year-old in 'When the Foeman Bares His Steel' though! Essgee have done a great job in updating a G&S show and I admit its not one for purists! Toni Lamond, the first woman to ever appear on Australian television, is a very sad, yet funny (!), Ruth. All of the songs in it are fantastic, even if they are all performed on synthesisers. Gallaher's rendition of 'Oh Is There Not One Maiden Here' is very sweet and heart-melting. Donaldson's 'Poor Wandering One' is AMAZING! Her coloratura is very well done. English's comic timing is great, especially 'Dear Pirate King I love your purple pants...' and he performs well with the other cast members, especially Toni Lamond, Helen Donaldson and Simon Gallaher. Any fan of musicals, especially Australian, should see this!

This is one of my favourite videos in my collection. Jon English is fantastic as the Pirate King, and Simon Gallaher, Helen Donaldson and Derek Metzger all perform outstandingly. With great comedy and audience interaction thrown in, it is a joy to watch over and over again. I only wish I'd been able to see the show live!

Though nothing in the credits mentions it, this production is obviously based on the Tony-winning 1980 Joseph Papp Shakespeare in the Park production, which starred Kevin Kline and Linda Rondstadt and was a massive hit on Broadway and later in the West End in London. Eventually it was redone as a film which was very entertaining but lacked too much of the excitement of live stage.

Fortunately, someone decided to tape a live performance of this newer version, capturing much more of the energy and audience response which was missing from the earlier film. What makes both versions special is the approach to the original material. Too many G&S productions are stodgy, treating the music as sacrosanct and the humor as too dated to get a laugh. Here every bit of silliness in the script is brushed off and made funny again. The "orphan/often" misunderstanding early in the play has been cut from most productions for decades by directors who didn't have a clue how funny it could be if performed as high comedy. There are dozens of other similar moments in this production, which never for an instant lets the audience forget that this is a COMIC opera.

At the same time, it is a comic OPERA, with some of Sir Arthur Sullivan's most beautiful melodies. Helen Donaldson as Mabel and Simon Gallaher as Frederick particularly have lovely voices and sing their romantic songs beautifully.

I do feel that this production is frequently over the top in milking the humor, but that is one of the intrinsic problems of filmed live performances, and the audience was clearly having a great time enjoying the antics of Jon English. And Tim Tyler as the police sergeant is incredible. A cross between a Keystone Kop and a very long rubber band, he steals every scene he is in.

G&S purists generally dislike updated productions, but for the rest of us, this production is a treat.