The Pirates of Penzance

The orchestral introduction warned me that what was to follow was not the standard version of Pirates as from my past. This was very true, as this adaption brought much of the content up to the present while still based on the original story line. When it was first produced in America in 1879, America did not recognize international copyright laws and there have been many interpretations over the years. This is another – and a good one. Apprentice Frederic was to leave the pirates, a collection of orphans, but cannot because of his birth on 29^th February. Then a number of attractive young ladies arrive in the pirate area. As you can imagine, complications arise.

Overall this was an excellent production in so many ways – the cast, the choreography, singing and orchestra. The Pirate King is the lynchpin of the musical and Elliot Baker was great in that role. Mind you the whole cast was very good, with most in key roles equally outstanding. Patricia Dearness as Ruth was suitably devious while Samantha Paterson, Aysa Garcia, Sophie Mason and Kayleigh Marven portrayed the sisters with flair. It was obvious why the pirates fell for them. Perhaps Jack Biggs was a little too stoic as Frederic but his singing was great. To be honest, there was not really a weak performance from the whole cast.

The movement throughout the entire production was spot on with the singing and the great backing from the fifteen piece orchestra. This kept the audience enthralled for the entire production. Oh, when some of the pirates mingled with the audience, it helped make us so much more involved with what was happening.

This production of The Pirates of Penzance was presented with such panache that it proved to make a great night at the theatre.  Very well done.

William Davies