Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre 3 - 8 November, 2003Accrington Observer - Friday 7 November, 2003
AHOY ..... sisters Rhianne and Nicola Beetham aboard Ship at Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre |
|
PHEW! I'm exhausted. I've just watched The Pirates of Penzance and I feel like I've had a two-hour workout at the gym. If Accrington Theatre Group's pirates could have harnessed all their energy they would have been able to power a five-star cruise ship instead of a pokey galleon.
As with all Gilbert and Sullivan shows, there isn't an awful lot of plot to go around.
Frederic is an apprentice pirate but he doesn't want to be, so when he reaches his 21st year he bails out. He falls in love with Mabel, the Major General's daughter. The only problem is that his birthday is on 29 February so technically he's only five and a quarter and the Pirate King comes to take him back to sea. Fortunately, everything turns out rosy when the Major General discovers that the pirates are really Lords and everyone ends up happy.
It's not what you would call a sing-along show. The only recognisable song was 'l Am the Very Model ofa Modern Major General' and if you can sing along to that you are a better man than I. All credit to David Slater for that one.
Frederic was played by Howard Raw, who also directed the show. Before I say anything about Howard I have to point out that I know he stepped into the role at the last minute when the original actor dropped out. I think he'd be the first to admit that he wasn't the most suitable person for the role but I actually think he did quite well in it.
Maria Masterman was the love interest, Mabel. She had a good clear voice and feisty songs to sing so I enjoyed listening to her solos.
Mark Robinson was the swashbuckling Pirate King. He swashed and he buckled and he swaggered around the stage, reminding me more of Lawrence Llewellyn Bowen than Cutthroat. Please, don't misconstrue that as an insult because I thought he was fabulous. I haven't seen him in any past Accrington Theatre Group productions but I hope I see him in, future ones.
As usual, it was the comedy performances that really stole the show. David Slater as the Major General and Sue Moretta as Ruth were the two that stood out. Both hammed up their roles wonderfully and both are quite capable of belting out a good tune.
The big chorus numbers were well choreographed.
The set was, as usual, quite spectacular. I do have issue with the lighting for the second act. It was very dark. I know it had to be to some extent for the plot but it could have been turned up a notch or two. It got a bit tiring squinting for the entire second act.
Howard Raw's direction brought out the humour in the script and the
energy in the. choreography. The show moved along at a nice fast pace
and I had an enjoyable evening. But after all that activity I think I
need a lie down.
The show continues at Oswaldtwistle Civic Hall tonight and tomorrow.
GAYLE KNIGHT
Burnley Express 11 November, 2003
Classic is too gimmicky |
THIS highly popular updated version of the Gilbert and Sullivan classic "Operetta" was presented at the Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre last week by the Accrington Theatre Group.
Featuring such classic songs as "Poor Wandering One", "Modern
Major General" and "Cat Like Tread", [the] operetta offers
beautiful music and great comedy to please even the most discerning theatre-goer.
Unfortunately, the production, which finishes tomorrow, emphasised too
much on gimmicks and not enough on the musicality of the piece.
Director Howard Raw was a very capable Frederick and was partnered by a slightly lack-lustre Maria Masterson as Mabel. However, Mark Robinson was a confident Pirate King. Mark had only three-and-a-half weeks to learn his role but nobody in the almost full-to-capacity auditorium would ever have guessed. His diction, command and characterisation were splendid.
David Norris played the sergeant of police with panache and Sue Moretta gave an excellent comical performance, backed by a strong singing voice, as Ruth.
A Special mention must go to David Slater for his portrayal of the major general. Excellent diction, strong vocal ability and great characterisation added to a show-stealing performance.
The production suffered too much by way of stage gimmicks, with not enough emphasis being placed on the vocal quality needed to stage any G and S work. I found the Camp Pirate - Gloria, the shooting of birds, the coarseness of the daughters and the constant running around just too much for the eye. There were, however, some well staged chorus work by Howard Raw and an excellent cameo performance from Adam Whittle as Samuel - a name to watch out for on the amateur circuit.
The orchestra, under the baton of Patricia Tarrant Gaunt, played well but at times were just not quite together, which didn't always help the cast.
To stage any Gilbert and Sullivan opera, one has to concentrate on the score - no matter how modern or different you wish to make the staging. Unfortunately, this version lacked the vocal clarity and attack needed to sustain Howard's innovative production.
Anthony Williams