Christchurch Gilbert & Sullivan Society 
Regent Centre, Christchurch 
KD Johnson 
5 September 2024
Among the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, one could describe The Pirates of Penzance as “entry-level”. It is the one that most people have either seen before, performed at school, or, at the very least, they know some of the songs from it. Who among us has not either attempted to sing or recite “I am the very model of a modern Major-General” (using either the original words, some parody thereof or even the Periodic Table), buckled a swash as a Pirate King or uttered the words “A Policeman’s Lot is Not a Happy One (Happy One!)”? For many societies it is an easy “banker”, which puts “bums on seats” and perhaps brings in an audience which might not be attracted by the lesser known works. It must be said, however, that Christchurch G&S do not shy away from the less-well-known material – as was demonstrated in their excellent production of The Sorceror in 2022.
Tonight’s entertainment begins, as ever, with the sumptuous sound of the 18 piece orchestra under the leadership of Ieuan Davies. Many societies have to make do with a keyboard player and sometimes a guitar and percussion but this one has everything from a double-bass to a triangle – including a bassoon and a brass section on the way. Marvellous stuff!
We are soon into the hidden lair of the Pirate King and his gang and what a colourful, whiskery and bloodthirsty lot they are. The costumes, both here and throughout, are excellent – credit to wardrobe mistress Jan Bishop, who also plays a small part as Grandma, and Eclectia Costumes. Although some of the pirates are women in trousers, the “Pirates’ Chorus”, if I may call it that, gives some really strong vocal performances throughout this production.
Mark Ward plays the part of the Pirate King with evident relish and style while Nikki Wilson plays an excellent rôle as Ruth, the former nursemaid to Frederick who accompanies him in the pirate lifestyle having accidentally indentured him to the Pirate King. Her exposition in the song “When Frederic was a little lad” is noteworthy, particularly in the diction – which often suffers when singing. The three‑parter with the Pirate King and Frederic “When you had left our pirate fold” (A Paradox) is also very good.
Adam Davis continues to go from strength to strength – he co‑directs and choreographs in this show as well as singing/playing an engaging and likeable part as Frederic. He is up against the remarkable vocal gymnastics of Catherine Smith as his love interest, Mabel, with whom he sings a couple of duets. I don’t think anyone can quite match Catherine’s excellent voice and power – but he does well.
The women’s chorus of Major-General Stanley’s daughters and their chaperones is always going to be subsidiary to the pirates and the policemen in this show but there are some strong parts in there – including Susy Davies as Edith and Sally Ager as Kate. The women and the pirates singing against each-other is a particularly fine sound.
Alan Ponting, as Major-General Stanley, maintains the necessary military poise while also bringing across frailty and concern for his duties to both daughters and “ancestors”. The Policemen, led by Mike Billington as the Sergeant of Police, provide a suitable foil to the pirates and their skirmish with the pirates in the graveyard is well handled. I am not impressed by the “strobe lighting”, which seems to be rather more someone turning the lights on and off than a proper strobe – this is a technical issue, rather than anything in the performance.
Sadly, I think the introduction of the “Matter Patter song” (My Eyes Are Fully Open) from Ruddigore to the interchange between Ruth, the Pirate King and Frederic in Act II, doesn’t add anything useful and it suffers from an apparent lack of rehearsal. It is fairly common for Act II not to have had as much rehearsal as Act I and there are a few other places where this deficiency shows (on opening night anyway).
The plot is, of course, mostly a load of nonsense – but with some amusing twists. I am not a fan of the rather cheesy “wrapper” with which this production tops and tails the story but, disregarding that, it is all a lot of fun, excellent music and good performances – a treat for the eyes and ears – I recommend it to both veterans of the genre and to beginners.
The Pirates (et al) are performing again on Friday (6th) and Saturday (7th September) at 7.30 and there is a matinée at 2.30 on Saturday.
