Tonight:
5°c
Fiona Maddocks's rating
These pirates have real swagger
By
Fiona Maddocks
20 Feb 2008
Inventively cast as the Sergeant of Police, Jo Brand's constabulary duties included waving a football rattle, getting out her knitting and poking her truncheon up the Major General's ample postliminary posterior, to borrow his own mode of speech.
She may not qualify as an all-out bass, but she can stay in tune and added a whacky flourish to this slick, cheerful Pirates of Penzance.
Exposure to three Gilbert and Sullivan operas in quick succession in Carl Rosa's Gielgud season has confirmed one thing: give me a pirate over a fairy of a gentleman of Titipu any day.
In Peter Mulloy's Victorian stagings, The Mikado floated shakily, Iolanthe almost sank, but Pirates of Penzance, spruced up by some Johnny Depp-inspired wiggery and seaside picture-postcard fun, was in full sail.
The music, zestfully conducted by Richard Balcombe and expertly played, is Sullivan's best.
The rip-offs - Verdi, Schubert, Anglican Church responses - are shamelessly well sustained, the tunes more memorable, the comedy sharper. And Gilbert's text still works even without contemporary frills.
What really counted, however, was the superior cast. The boyish hero Frederic was sung with lyrical accuracy by David Curry. Gilbert and Sullivan stalwart Steven Page provided a snarling Pirate King, with baritone Michael Kerry outstanding as Samuel. Barry Clark's stiff-gaited Major-General Stanley had all the comic energy and verbal pace desired.
The women, led by Deborah Myers's bright-voiced Mabel, were boisterous and funny, especially in their nimbly choreographed choruses.
This was Carl Rosa back on form, encouraged by a keen audience which responded to every tiny gesture with some of the noisiest belly laughs ever heard. No it wasn't quite that funny. But even this sceptic smiled heartily.
• Until 1 March (0844 482 5130).
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (3)
The very best Pirates I ever saw was at the Minack - literally on a rocky cliff near Penzance - when the Cambridge University Gilbert & Sullivan Society gave us a gay Pirate King. But this Carl Rosa version is certainly the second best I've seen, and the idea to cast Jo Brand as the sergeant of Police (I confess that I was doubtful in advance) was inspired. If Jo was the icing (now, now!) the rest of the cake was rich too - no weak links, and the best Major General ever! The storyline is ridiculous, so the piece begs to be played tongue-in-cheek - as I'm sure Gilbert intended - and this production exploited the opportunities to the full. Thoroughly enjoyable - and I'm still humming 'Take Heart' a week later!
- Peter Foot, Bedford, 03/03/2008 23:10
Report abuse
I went to see this last night - was fantastic. What was sad to see though was that the theatre was half empty even the stalls where we were.
Very funny and great singing. Jo Brand though not the strongest of voices was so funny with her comic expressions and poking of her truncheon around the place.
- Kath Wells, London, 27/02/2008 13:28
Report abuse
I just got back from seeing this show - and have to say it was the most fun I've had in a London theatre in years!
I was sceptical as the last time I saw Pirates of Penzance was at The Coliseum and it was lacklustre and way below standard.
This production however is full of fun, joie de vivre and you can't help but smile and swoon.
I agree with the reviewer - Michael Kelly had the best voice in the whole cast - the Pirate King was fantastic - Jo Brand was wonderful in the role of a Female Police Sergeant (one can only wonder if the times would have allowed if Messrs Sullivan and Gilbert wouldn't have written the part for a woman!).
Its a shame that the theatre wasn't stuffed to the gills - there were lots of empty seats - perhaps due to the previous 2 shows not being up to par.
I would strongly encourage you to beg or even steal a ticket for this show - its a sure fire cure to the February Chills and makes one proud to be British!
Cant wait till they do HMS Pinafore ..... Perhaps with equally innovative casting!
- Padraigh Turlough, Crystal Palace, London, 22/02/2008 01:44
Report abuse
