7th August
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The Pirates of Penzance Rose Hill Opera House 7:30 pm  We had seats A21 & A22 in the Dress Circle for this performance

The overture opened at a very  lethargic tempo.  It did not seem to have sparkle this evening.  Also the brass section seemed intent on making themselves heard.

The tabs had a sinister skull and cross-bones projected onto them during the overture.  They were lifted to reveal a new set - it really was a rocky seashore.  All the flats were painted as cliffs made up from large boulders and the backcloth continues this theme with the sea and the rocky shore going off into the distance where there was a rocky arch.  Clumps of rocks were strategically placed on the beach.

The pirates were a mottely crew - Samuel was the dirtiest, scruffiest and most scab laden I have ever seen - he was also non too bright - this character grew and grew as the opera progressed!  Frederic was presented with a birthday cake and blew out the candles.  The captain was an imposing figure but his costume was only marginally more dramatic than those of his fellow pirates - I would have liked him to stand out more.

The opening song was well sung and then Ruth came on - she was very pristine in her long dress and white blouse - a little too smart to be with this mottely crew?  Ruth had a good voice but it was far too soft and I had difficulty in hearing the words.  She explained the mix-up with pilot and pirate to the pirates who all though it most amusing.

Frederic had a fine tenor voice with clear diction - both his dialogue and singing came over without any problem all through the performance.  He was, however, a little like Rowan Atkinson in both stature and mannerisms - this was difficult to ignore.

The Pirate King sang a fine solo "Oh better far to live and die"  He had a rich deep voice - again with excellent diction.  He was very dramatic in his actions and it was clear he was in charge of the band of pirates. 

The pirates go off leaving Ruth and Frederic on the beach - Ruth is persuading Frederic that she is a fine woman when a gauze drops down across the stage half way between the back and the front.  Into the rear section wandered four of the daughters - they froze there as Frederic realised that Ruth was not as attractive or young as she had been telling him. This was one innovation which I did not think worked very well.

The girls came on - along with four very strict governesses who really kept them under control. It was obvious that the governesses liked a little drink as one produced a hip flask with which to fortify their tea  The girls had a good opening chorus and then had great fun with Frederic.  All were smitten by him as he sang "Oh! Is there not one maiden breast?"  - until as usual he upset them.  However Mabel still fancied him.  She had a good voice and the words came over very clearly in "Poor Wand'ring one".

Much fun was had as the governesses tried to keep an eye on Frederic and Mabel - some of the choreography in this number was not carried out with the precision which we would have expected as the sang "How beautifully blue the sky"

The pirates crept on and surprised the girls - although quite why they were so surprised is a mystery as a few seconds earlier three pirates had returned to remove all the props??  The girls were captured - as were the governesses - much to the horror of the former and the delight of the latter.  However, the pirates who had captured the governesses did not look too pleased!!!

The Major General came on and the whole performance, which had been moving along at a very slow pace up until then went even more pedestrian.  He was very smartly dressed in full uniform but his song was so slow - with great pauses as he, the King and Samuel decided upon the rhymes after each penultimate line.  When he came to the encore this was sung at the speed for a "normal" verse.

There was good interaction during the dialogue but the "often" / "Orphan" seemed to go on for ever.

A colourful and active finale followed - but why did we have to have the photographers on?

Act two opened to a wonderful set of ruined chapel parts and a twinkling star laden sky.  Mabel and Frederic and some of the girls were already on - the girls had changed from their daytime frocks into evening gowns.  Frederic was now in an army mess suit.  The Major General came on in his nightgown - followed by the rest of the girls and the governesses.  The latter proceeded to put a dressing gown on the Major General to make him more decent.  A good "Oh dry the glistening tear" was followed by great fun as the police came on.  They were true Keystone-cops.  I feel that they were let down by poor uniforms - especially the belts - it jumped out at the audience that they all had different types on.  Also their actions were not in time - it seemed to me as if they had not had enough time in rehearsals to become crisp with their Tarantaras and general movements.  However, they were full of fun.  The sergeant could have done with a louder voice and clearer diction.

Eventually the Major General manages to get them off stage and just as Frederic is about to leave Ruth and the King appear.  Ruth is now in a great pirates uniform - this would have been more appropriate in act one as well.  The tell Frederic about his birthday on the 29th February making him only five and a quarter in birthdays - hence is is still a pirate. - a good singing of the "Paradox" trio - although the king totally forgot about the final verse and dragged Frederic over to do his chant - after an embarrassing pause they got back onto track.

Frederic tells them that the Major General is no orphan and the King is determined to attack the castle.

Mabel and Frederic sing a lovely duet "Stay Frederic, Stay!" followed by a poignant "Ah, Leave me not alone to pine"

The police come back on and have good fun as Mabel persuades them to go and deal with the pirates.  As Mabel left there was a stage direction which was typical of the slowing down of pace - between the line "I will do mine"  and "Go Ye and do yours" Mabel had been directed to walk all the way from stage left - in front of the pirates to the extreme stage right where she turned and delivered the final line.  This was characteristic of the lack of pace in this production.

The police sang a good rendition of "When a felons..."  although the actions were again not well rehearsed.  As they hear the pirates they rush off to hide - in some very amusing places - including portable bushes and tombstones.  The pirates enter with great gusto singing "With cat-like tread"  They in turn hide as the Major General comes on.  He sings "Sighing Softly" with much action going on around him as both pirates and police change hiding positions at regular intervals.  At one point the police pinch the tombstones, behind which three pirates are hiding - to expose the latter playing cards.

The daughters and governesses come on to see what is wrong with the Major General and all are captured by the pirates.  Mabel whistles for the police who appear and fight the pirates - instead of the fight just lasting a bar or so of music this one went on for ages - with much fun being had by all - accompanied by a selection of snippets from other G&S operettas. I feel this was a good idea as the fight is always over too quickly to have any fun.

The pirates eventually subdue the police by saying "Boo" at which the police all collapse.  However, the tables are turned when the sergeant asks the pirates to yield in Queen Victoria's name - which they do.

Ruth puts everyone straight by telling the Major General that the pirates are all peers who have gone wrong - he pardons them and offers them his daughters - Ruth selects the Major General.  The finale is the original reprise of the Major General's song, followed by "Poor Wand'ring One"

The Police and the Governesses.

The Pirates and the daughters

Samuel comes on - still scabby!

Frederic and Mabel

The Major General and Pirate King

This production had many innovations and many funny parts but for me it was spoilt by the lack of pace - I felt that a new set of batteries were required to up the pace and make it the bright, sparkling, active production of which this group is capable. Their Yeoman production at Buxton a few years ago was one of the best I have ever seen - a pity this did not match it.

No club tonight - merriment, nibbles and red wine back at Susan & Gordon's caravan