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Pirates of Penzance, The

Pirates of Penzance, ThePhoto Credit: KK Dundas

Gilbert and Sullivan as it’s meant to be – pure, uncomplicated fun, performed to the highest standards. Read more …

This new co-production with D’Oyly Carte Opera Company – returning to the stage for the first time in over 10 years – brings the humour bang up to date with a Python-esque twinkle. A vibrant, stylish and hilarious romp through one of G&S’s finest scores, this show has everything you could want from a great night out.

A young man bound by an overactive sense of duty, a soft-hearted pirate king with a hopeless band of rogues at his side, a beautiful young girl, a very modern major-general and an ineffectual bevy of policemen…add a plot hinging on the technicalities of having a birthday on the 29th of February and we’re just about there. What could possibly go wrong?

Gilbert’s high speed patter is razor sharp and Sullivan’s score sees him at the top of his game, with the catchy tunes for which he is so well known. Conducted by G&S expert John Owen Edwards and directed by Martin Lloyd-Evans, the fantastic ensemble cast includes a horde of fresh, young talent as well as G&S stars Steven Page as The Pirate King and Richard Suart as the Major-General.


The critical consensus

There are many genuine laughs to be had, from the feckless Pirates and comic-book Police, to a raft of solo performances that go well beyond G&S stereotypes, not least because they sing magnificently. With the occasional nod to Monty Python, Lloyd-Evans pitches it neatly between the satirical and the absurd.

****(*)Ken Walton, The Scotsman, 16/05/2013

The chorus straddles an opera/music theatre sound and come out a tad on the shouty side, while on opening night the orchestra sounded bright and jovial under Derek Clark. The production tours the UK into July, and might loosen up along the way.

***(*)(*)Kate Molleson, The Guardian, 16/05/2013

Whether you’re looking for swashbuckling romance, witty, wordy lyrics or the music of an underrated composer performed with verve and enthusiasm, Scottish Opera has it all – don’t miss it.

*****Jen McGregor, Edinburgh Spotlight, 29/05/2013

It was a great evening with a smile on my face nearly all the time. Highly recommended.

****(*)Barnaby Miln, Edinburgh Guide, 29/05/2013

Go and see it. It’s your duty to do so.

****(*)Thom Dibdin, Annals of Edinburgh Stage, 31/05/2013

Whether the problem lies with a general lack of confidence in really committing to the ridiculousness of the story or, as a company, in having an ethos of cool understatement, the result is the same, a near miss that needn’t have been.

***(*)(*)Josie Balfour, The Scotsman, 29/05/2013

Scottish Opera have had a busy year not to mention the previous forty-nine and they’re clearly enjoying this chance to let their hair down and if you go along so will you.

****(*)Neil McEwan, TVBomb, 29/05/2013


Features about Pirates of Penzance, The

D'Oyly Carte Opera Company return with Pirates of Penzance

STV, 15/04/2013

Scottish Opera sailsinto town on Pirates adventure

Northings, 29/04/2013

Gilbert and Sullivan pose challenge for Scottish Opera

Ken Walton, The Scotsman, 09/05/2013

Gilbert and Sullivan's pirates revive D'Oyly Carte

BBC, 14/05/2013

Where and when?

Theatre Royal, Glasgow from Wednesday May 15, 2013, until Saturday May 18, 2013. More info: www.theambassadors.com/theatreroyalglasgow/

His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen from Thursday May 23, 2013, until Saturday May 25, 2013. More info: www.hmtaberdeen.com

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh from Tuesday May 28, 2013, until Saturday June 1, 2013. More info: http://www.edtheatres.com/festival

Eden Court Theatre, Inverness from Thursday June 6, 2013, until Saturday June 8, 2013. More info: www.eden-court.co.uk

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