Festival Theatre, Malvern – 6th September 2024.
Reviewed by Courie Amado Juneau
5*****
Tonight’s The National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company gift is the always marvellous and (deservedly) ever popular The Pirates Of Penzance (1879).
The Overture presents a river of wonderful, instantly recognizable melodies for us to drift along on in merry reverie. Indeed, many in the crowd found themselves humming (or singing) along. Conductor Murray Hipkin wielded his baton to masterful effect, judging by the musical results which tripped along gaily, amply proving the orchestra were in fine form.
The story is a complicated one principally involving a young lad, Frederic, mistakenly being apprenticed to pirates and his duty holding him in that role until his 21st birthday which, we discover, is today…
And so it’s straight on with the pirates! It’s astonishing how joyous a chorus line of dancing pirates are and how something that in the mind’s eye looks so unnatural can look so natural on the stage. It sure puts a grin on your face. As does The Pirate King himself; which Charles Rice tackles with gusto and a relish that is infectious, especially during the wonderful “Oh, better far to live and die”.
Frederic (played by David Webb) singing was, naturally, top notch but his comedy timing was just as good with an ability to react to the moment that was impressive. Mabel (Rebecca Bottone) entered with the ever popular “Poor wandering one” and the duet (with chorus) “How beautifully blue the sky” gave further testament to our lead couple’s genuine chemistry. But the most affecting scene in the whole piece (which is, primarily, a comedy) was the second half’s “Stay, Frederic, stay!” which truly brought a tear to ones eye.
The hits just kept coming as Simon Butteriss at last enters as Major-General Stanley and it’s the big one “I am the very model of a modern Major-General”. Delivered with felicitous alacrity and precise verbal gymnastics, Mr Butteriss is a master of the patter song. I loved his direction throughout too (yes, he’s also Director of the show (and last night’s too)) with genuine belly laughs brought forth throughout but, especially, during the chorus of girls interactions with Frederic and the pirates and during “Softly softly to the river” with the policemen and pirates hiding behind implausibly small twigs. Absolutely hilarious.
Ruth (wonderfully played by Gaynor Keeble) is a pivotal role and source of joy throughout as are the chorus of constables and their Sergeant (Bruce Graham) with their crowd pleaser “When a felon’s not engaged in his employment”. Their lot may not have been a happy one (according to the song), but we in the crowd sure were happy at the lot of ‘em.
This is perhaps G&S’s most perfect work and so well regarded with good reason. There’s nothing not to love here. A wonderfully ingenious and convoluted plot, a bevy of the pair’s greatest hits, wonderful costumes, scenery and exotic(ish) locations and a story you can hang your hat on… A splendid time is guaranteed for all and it was delivered tonight in spades.
So, another triumph from this most excellent company. Two down and one to go and, as I said yesterday, you really should rush to see their final show before they leave town (tomorrow’s The Gondoliers).