The Pirates of Penzance or The Slave of Duty

Published Wednesday 20 February 2008 at 11:40 by Paul Vale

Being born on February 29 of a leap year does have some advantages, but it may actually lead to the downfall of poor Frederic, the devoted slave of duty who discovers he might never escape his apprenticeship to a band of pirates and find true love.

Once again, director Peter Mulloy brings us classic Gilbert and Sullivan, backed in this instance by a bright, inventive design and varied performances that are thankfully infused with a strong vein of good humour. David Curry makes a particularly fine Frederic opposite a sweet, but ultimately pedestrian Deborah Myers as Mabel. Barry Clark is a blustering Major General Stanley, full of vigour, with an amusing skit behind the gauze during the overture, and Sophie-Louise Dann makes great use of her comic and vocal talents in the role of Edith.

Steven Page lacks energy as the Pirate King and is almost over-shadowed in this instance by Michael Kerry as a vigorous, rollicking Samuel. This balance of performances just manages to work until the second act and the appearance of Jo Brand as the Sergeant of Police. Brand’s inability to either sing, dance or act brings the proceedings to an unworthy low, creating to all intents and purposes, car crash operetta.

There was one particularly stand-out performance here and that was Beverley Klein as Ruth. Klein gleefully exploits the obvious comic potential, but grounds her performance in the very real sense of desolation upon discovery that she has wasted her life in devotion to her charge.