Winterbourne Operatic Society
“THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE”
Winterbourne Community Centre
April 1998
Producer/Choreographer Mavis Campbell
Musical Director Jonathan Hollier
This company has been beset with problems recently but they overcame them brilliantly to produce a performance that was mostly true to the G & S traditions and at the same time, highly entertaining to their audience. With a 21-piece orchestra, one could have been forgiven for thinking the cast could have been drowned – not a bit! Always well controlled and balanced, they provided tremendous support to principals and chorus throughout.
Playing Mabel, Liz Proctor was a delight with her natural soprano voice, ably supported by her sisters Edith and Kate and Ian Williams as Frederick, with Ruth, the Pirate King and the Sergeant of Police adding their voices and sense of fun.
Both the Pirates and the Police, despite being quite a motley troupe, were in fine voice and, supported by some good chorus singing from the ladies, provided some vocal highlights. Good sets were constructed by members but would have bean enhanced with more effective lighting in Act 2.
Costumes from Gilbert & Sullivan Costume Hire, Halifax and Winterbourne were, in the main, complementary but ladies must take greater care that modern hairstyles do not detract from Victorian headwear.