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The Pirates of Penzance
Oxford University Gilbert & Sullivan
Society
St. John's Auditorium, 30th Jan - 3rd Feb 2001
When The Pirates of Penzance
first went before London audiences in 1880, it proved so popular
that it indirectly caused a public order problem. Enthusiasm for
Gilbert & Sullivan's operettas reached such a height during
its run that when their next piece, Patience, was premièred,
fighting broke out in the streets amongst those anxious to secure
the last few tickets.
Those waiting outside St John's College Auditorium last night
managed, by and large, to keep their fists to themselves. But
the O U Gilbert & Sullivan Society's opening performance of
Pirates was all but sold out, a measure of the continuing popularity
this famous opera, and of the hype which this first-rate production
has generated. As something of a G & S novice, I approached
Tuesday night's excursion into the heart of Victorian light opera
with some trepidation. But from the opening bars these fears were
proven to be ill-founded nonsense |
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The dash, verve and sheer joie de vivre of the
cast delighted the capacity audience, as did the cheerful professionalism
of the orchestra. The director, Charlie Wilson, has obviously
taken a fairly back-to-basics approach, eschewing the modern fashion
for updating G & S, and leaving the music and humour stripped
bare and shining through. He has, however, left his cast room
for interpretation, which was exploited to the full - most notably,
perhaps, by the policemen with their hilarious exercise in camp.
Excellent performances included Sir Woby Cathcart as the Sergeant
of Police (distinctly uneffeminate, I should add) and Tom West
as the Lieutenent of the Pirate band. But perhaps the most impressive
performance came from Matthew Rogers as the Pirate King. Rising
above the bubble perm wig, he gave his portrayal of this charming
blackguard a knowing swagger, while hinting at the lost orphan
within. This was a truly dexterous display of stagecraft, with
fine characterisation and even better singing. I also particularly
enjoyed Jonathan Morgan as the Major-General, who attacked the
role with infectious humour and vigour. |
Gilbert & Sullivan's swashbuckling tale of the famous Pirates, their
unwilling apprentice (a slave of duty) the Major-General and his daughters
is told with such grace and sly humour that it does not show its 121
years. A final mention is due to the good people of the St John's Wine
Tasting Society, who, upon being mistaken for an interval oasis, proved
accommodating beyond the call of duty. One among them bade us point
out what a generally splendid place St John's is for supporting such
events, and it would be churlish to refuse.
Sarah Montgomery, 30 /
1 / 01
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