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
