Sasha Regan's Pirates of Penzance

an absolutely fabulous version
here's what I said for Sydney Arts Guide  
http://www.sydneyartsguide.com/View-Review.asp?ReviewID=1291

Nic Gibney, Matthew Gent and Michael Bungen in 'PIRATES'. Pic Lisa Tomasetti Ahoy me hearties! One of the best of the many versions I have seen, this is a fresh, sparkling version of the Gilbert and Sullivan classic that I think G and S would have greatly enjoyed. The twist in Sasha Regan’s production is that the entire cast is male. As is pointed out in the programme, this in some ways turns everything ‘topsy turvy’ and makes one concentrate even more on the plot and characterisation. Yes there can be read into it lots of ‘gay’ overtones but it can also be extremely funny and very moving in parts. This is a fast paced production with no allowance for encores in the usual show stopping places (especially ‘With cat like tread’ for example ) .What is also crucially important  in these G& S operettas is precise diction , not just orphan/often but the Major-General’s patter song for instance, and in this version it was excellent. The entrance of Major-General Stanley’s wards was delightful. The corsetry and long white skirts were fabulous. Visually the predominant colour for both ladies and pirates in this production was white or variations thereof (perhaps representing their innocence?). The sparse, minimalist set design mostly consisted of a few crates/boxes /steps and stylized clouds. Unusual, very effective use was made of torches and lighting from beneath for ‘With cat like tread’. Technically and musically the production was superb with glorious singing from all. Alan Richardson as Mabel especially , in the difficult coloratura sections,(‘ Poor wandering one’ ) was magnificent .And Adam Vaughan as the police sergeant has a fine gravelly bass. What was also of interest is that this version uses no orchestra but instead an amplified piano, sparklingly played by Michael England. There were magnificent performances by all of the ensemble and splendid acting. The production was warm, witty and hilarious in some parts (especially some of the sight gags with Ruth). Our hero, young curly haired Frederick, the ‘slave of duty’ was brilliantly played and sung by handsome Matthew Gent -  a fine performance . Alan Richardson as Mabel was astonishing and superb. Their duet ‘ All is prepared ‘ was glorious and heartbreaking - you could have heard a pin drop . Our devilishly delightful pirate king was terrifically played by Nic Gibney, with tattoos and a faint Johnny Depp influence. He was in fine voice and captivating. Ruth, the piratical maid of all work, was exquisitely played by Joseph Houston . Tall and lanky she was incredibly touching in a sad finale to Act1.  Bravo. Both Houston and Gibney have a whale of a time in ‘A Paradox’ among other sections. Major-General Stanley was magnificently played by Neil Moors. He was resplendent in a red jacket with epaulettes (very British army) and there were some sections where he was rather like a master of the hunt - using a broom as a hobby horse, with some risqué visual jokes with Ruth. ( Interesting- in most productions at the end Ruth is courted by the Sarg, but here it looks like the Major- General wants her for himself) . In this production the rubbery knock kneed police all have various oversize mustaches as masks .They all wore light blue shirts and white torn shorts, save for the Sergeant who wore a more refined version and had stripes on his shirt. Vaughan as the Sergeant was the only one who had a real mustache. An absolutely brilliant production, running time just over two hours,  had the audience at times in fits of hysterical laughter. The tumultuous standing ovation at the end was richly deserved . Sasha Regan’s production of THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE opened at the Sydney Theatre on Saturday 10th November and plays until Saturday 24th November, 2012. © Lynne Lancaster 12th November, 2012 Tags: Sydney Theatre Reviews- THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, Sasha Regan, Sydney Theatre, Sydney Arts Guide, Lynne Lancaster

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