‘THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE’

Eastleigh Operatic & Musical Society

The Point

IN directing one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most-performed operettas, certainly one of the funniest, Jacqui Beckingham didn’t waste the opportunity to play every scene for laughs. Set in 1957, the pirates are presented as bikers with Louis Spencer a whirlwind of hilarious over-acting as the Pirate King. Frederic (confident Matt Chapman) mistakenly enlisted as an apprentice, falls for Mabel and Rebecca Woodhead was particularly impressive in the lead-part, her beautiful voice dominated every scene she was in. Her ‘sisters’ gave good support, particularly Rachael Beckingham (as Edith) who also choreographed many excellent sequences. As their father, the Major-General, Keith Wiggans was also very funny. Carole Lilly gave a strong performance as Ruth, a maid who had romantic designs on Frederic and, as the Sergeant, Mick Attwood led some great scenes with the policewomen. The scenery, sound and lighting were all excellent, as were the costumes, with the addition of a string-section further-enhancing Nigel Finch’s always note-perfect orchestra.

Alan Johns