The Oxford University Gilbert and Sullivan Society, who stage one of the Savoy Operas every term, will, for Michaelmas, be performing the well known and loved The Pirates of Penzance.
The comic opera tells the love story of Mabel, daughter of a General Stanley, and Frederic, a mistakenly apprenticed pirate who, upon his twenty-first birthday is released from service and is thus free to pursue his relationship with Mabel. Unfortunately, however, due to an unfortunate (yet admittedly comical) twist, Frederic finds out that he was actually born in the leap year on 29th February, meaning he is actually only five, and must return to piracy until 1940. Its absurd, but great fun.
The duet where Frederic breaks the bad news pays testament to the brilliant operatic voices of both leads, Anna Sideris and Thomas Wade, whose voices harmonize nicely in a scene which is moving yet suitably light-hearted for such a play.
The cast – as is tradition for the society’s Michaelmas production – is made up entirely of freshers with the exception of three, and although the performance was as yet unperfected in preview, what was not lacking was enthusiasm.
The singing was good, the atmosphere entertaining and the lead performances, most notably the Major General, played by Robert Hazle, promise to amuse.
It may not be the most professional performance of this classic ever staged, but with a full cast in costume and the talented pianists Samuel Swinnerton and Jonathan Swinard providing the music, this production promises to be good fun for any who are particularly partial to the theatrical inventions of Gilbert and Sullivan or who simply enjoy a light hearted musical in opera!
Magdalen Auditorium
Thursday – Saturday 6th Week
3 Stars
