A high spirited production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ was performed at the Kenmore Theatre Goulburn by the Argyle Theatre Company.
Right from the start, the show had a rollicking start with the pirate gang coming from the back of the theatre and storming the stage with the song, ‘Pour O Pour the Sweet Sherry’. Of-course, the pirates stole the show! The pirates’ flag with the skull-bone hung proudly over the theatre entrance.
A good cast brought Gilbert and Sullivan’s classic show to life. Seb Scott performed well as Frederic who had just turned 21 and had completed his pirate traineeship and could resume his ordinary life, A talented young actor, Seb displayed a strong voice and an engaging stage presence.
Lyn Lace played his nurse Ruth who wanted to marry him. She portrayed her as a good, kindly woman. Geoffrey McMahon’s Major General Stanley was the very model of a Major General! Matt Greenwood was good as the Pirate King, always able to rally his pirates. The best voice of the night belonged to Jane Collings-Jardine who played Frederic’s girl, Mabel. She had a strong, clear soprano voice. The pick of the pirate chorus was Richard Orchard.
My favourite numbers for the night… There was the wonderful ‘With Cats like treads’ with the gang of pirates dominating the stage, and pounding their feet as they came towards the front of the stage. There was the wittiness and great rhythm of the piece, ‘Lo Man of Dark and Dismal Fate’ with those great lines, ‘pray observe the magnanimity, and the lace and dimity’. Then there was the police number, ‘Hold Monsters when the Foreman bares his steel’ which was performed well.
John Buckley directed the production strongly as well as being the Musical Director. The eleven piece orchestra performed well. The casts’ timing was good and the cleverness of the script with the addition of some clever local political references worked well. The costumes were good, especially the pirates colourful garb. The set design with the backdrop of the coastline worked well.