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Pirates of Penzance

STORY
The pirates are celebrating young Frederic's coming of age. He is now about to become a full-fledged member of the crew. Frederic however shocks the pirate King and his men by announcing that he is leaving their band. Frederic is about to marry his elder nanny Ruth, but he has not seen another woman since he was eight years old, and he wants to compare Ruth with other women. He comes upon a group of beautiful maidens, all of them daughters of Major-General Stanley, and falls in love with the youngest, Mabel.The pirates try to abduct the Major-General's daughters and marry them. But the Major-General is not happy with this...

 

WHEN AND WHERE
28th September - 1st October 1988
Broxbourne Civic Hall, High Street, Hoddesdon, Herts,  EN11 8BE

 

CAST

Major General Stanley Malcolm Gordon
The Pirate King Duncan McMillan
Samuel (his lieutentant) Rob Ash
Frederic (the Pirate Apprentice) Charles Mason
Sergeant of Police David Eadon
Mabel Michelle Harris
Kate Lynda Dorling
Edith Jackie Bligh
Victoria Cathryn Eves
Ruth (a pirate Maid of all Work) Anne Bettany
General Stanley's Daughters Alison Bassett, Heather Bentley, Valerie Bentley, Christine Booth, Liz Coles, Katie Cox, Dorothy Cooper, Sue Day, Kay Dodd, Anne Fellowes Margaret Knight, Joy Mather, Marjorie Newland, Kathy Pinnuck, Melanie Purves, Jenny Raine, Lee Rayner, Barbara Richmond, Cyndy Round, Jenny Scorr, Lindsey Stewart, Karen Tindall, Val Wilton.
Chorus of Pirates and Police Bert Blair, Gavin Bligh, Jeff Booth, Eddie Connolly, Les Cooper, John Dorling, Graham Good, Stan Groves, Wayne Howsen, Russell Muir, Matthew Salisbury, Doug Wildey, Kirston Wiltshire, Alf Whittall.

Directed by Malcolm Hollow
Choreographed by Malcolm Hollow
Musically directed by William Parker

 

GALLERY

 

REVIEWS

Swashbuckling!
The Mercury
7th October 1988

"Charles Mason’s tenor voice coped well with the part of Frederic, moving so effortlessly on stage that one would suspect training as an actor rather than a singer, something that would account for his excellent performance in recitative."

"But the versatile mezzo-soprano of Anne Bettany, taking the part of Frederic’s spurned sweetheart Ruth, was quite outstanding among the female cast, both singing and speaking in the same accent – something not always accomplished by professional performers – with good, dramatic movements, creating a character which was maintained throughout."

"David Eadon as the Sergeant of Police; Quite apart from a distinctive, full-bodied bass voice, the mannerisms, the tilt of the head, the ponderous steps, the thrust of the shoulders – everything was perfect. Here was a performer who so obviously felt at home in the part and able to share his enjoyment with the audience."

 Herts Opera Stars A Wow
Unlabelled review
October 1988

"Malcolm Hollow, who directed and choreographed this highly popular show, attained his usual high standard of performance and polish with his magic touch. It was stage managed without hitch by Sue Hantke."

"Superb performances by Michelle Harris as Mabel, one of General Stanley’s daughters, as she trilled effortlessly up and down the scales."

"Informing the audience that “a policeman’s lot is not a happy one”, was David Eadon as the Sergeant of Police who kept his policeman’s chorus in control with his amazing voice."