When marketing posters for West Australian Opera’s The Pirates of Penzance started to appear, I was excited. The posters depict Ben Mingay as the Pirate King, descending in a giant globe lit frame with confetti flying behind him with an elaborate set. It gave me the impression this was going to be a vibrant, bold new production of the opera.
However, this production of the Gilbert and Sullivan classic returns to its operatic origins. This is not a bad thing. However, it did take me a while to settle into this version of The Pirates of Penzance rather than the theatrical version I was expecting. It is the slapstick and comedy of the opera that this production cleverly relies on to ensure its success.
Ben Mingay as The Pirate King gives a pleasing performance as he leads his band of sympathetic pirates. He is able to elicit laughs from the audience from his comedic moves on stage.
Alasdair Kent as Frederic has a powerful commanding voice and his sustained note in one of his arias was impressive. His stand-up antics throughout the performance were also well choreographed and executed.
Penny Shaw as Frederic’s nanny Ruth, shared a great comedic rapport on stage with Kent. Their duet, as she tries to seduce the young pirate, is hilarious. Shaw’s performance in the first act generated some great laughs, however when she returned in the second act, she appeared distracted and seemed to have lost her comedic timing.
Prudence Sanders portrayal as Mabel was charming. Her duo with Kent of All is prepar’d; your gallant crew await you, was emotional and beautifully executed.
The chorus of the Major General’s daughters used satire through the show to great advantage. From looks on their faces, using umbrellas as swords and exaggerated moves the women worked together to produce some of the greatest laughs.
Who would have thought Frederic singing, Oh, is there not one maiden here Whose homely face and bad complexion Have caused all hope to disappear Of ever winning man’s affection? would offend the sisters. But in this production the sisters show their comical disgust that he would even suggest they were not pretty enough to snare a man!
Belinda Butler as Kate, one of the daughter’s, has a vibrant presence on stage and although she is surrounded by ten other sisters, draws you to her jolly face and comical gestures.
Andrew Foote as the Major General is hilarious dressed in kilt and nightgown as he sung and moved with mirthful movements. His aria of the quick paced I am the very model of a modern Major-General is performed without missing a beat.
A simple set and props help to add to the comedy of the performance. For the record Mingay does not descend in a globe lit frame with confetti. The lighting, opening the second act, is striking and a reminder of why Trudy Dalgleish is one of Australia’s top leading lighting designers.
Due to the size of the stage the choreography relies on crab like movements which are performed with precision. The dance sequences build to the piece, With cat-like tread, upon our prey we steal, as they prance and move around the stage. At its conclusion it has the crowd cheering with delight and calling for more. Unfortunately, we were not granted an encore.
This production reminded me of how funny The Pirates of Penzance is, and the casts slap stick humour and skilful comedy had the audience laughing throughout the performance.
If you are new to this Gilbert and Sullivan opera do not miss your chance to acquaint yourself with these composers. And if you’re an old admirer of their work, don’t miss your chance to re-familiarise yourself with the music and its comical wit.
The Pirates of Penzance
His Majesty’s Theatre, 825 Hay Street, Perth
Performance: Friday 28 March 2025
Season continues to 5 April 2025
Information and Bookings: www.waopera.asn.au
Images: The Cast of West Australian Opera’s The Pirates of Penzance – photo by Dylan Alcock, West Beach Studio | Alasdair Kent as Frederic (left) and Ben Mingay as The Pirate King (right) and the Cast of West Australian Opera’s The Pirates of Penzance – photo by Dylan Alcock, West Beach Studio
Review: Craig Dalglish