Essgee’s Pirates of Penzance

When word went out that GMS was doing the modern ( =slightly rock) adaptation of Pirates they had no shortage of men volunteering to jump on board. But in the early stages of this production it was the women who outshone them.

The instructions to the cast were that the arrival of the newly released Pirate Frederic on the beach was to create such a hormonal stir amongst the young maidens, as to give hot flushes to members of the audience. They delivered in spades. 

We all knew what those not so Victorian ladies were thinking as they drooled over the man who arrived unexpectedly before them.  It took until the second act for the men to match their lust. It came during the rollicking rendition of 'Cat Like Tread'.

Recognising the talent of the women in the cast director Darryl Davis cleverly gave them an extra duty – making them the Police officers, all sporting the same blonde wig.

The first thing however, which strikes when you see a Gosford Musical Society production is the high standard of the set and costumes. Particularly in the second act inside the Major General’s abode it looked like the designer Angela Scott had employed a team of craftsmen to carve out mahogany framework.

This was a production which zinged along aided by the cute choreography from Ashlea George and Carolyn McNamara and crisp music under the baton of Bronwynne Anderson.

The stand out in the cast was Marc Calwell as Major General Stanley (Don’t tell anyone but he was actually a class above a few high professionals who have undertaken this role in recent times).

Young Mabel – Tiana Young was very impressive to sing the demanding role of Mabel so deftly at the age of 16.  She made a nice couple with Gareth Isaac as Frederic who never missed a note.

Chris Martin did an excellent Jon English impersonation as the Pirate King. Kerrie Rochford as Ruth and Anthony George as the Sergeant of Police completed a formidable principal team.

The cast and audience greatly enjoyed the mega mix finale and old timers were touched when GMS pioneers Nancye and Kevin Booth made a cameo as Queen Victoria and her footman.

A jolly good time was had by all.

David Spicer

Photographer: Cliff Kent

*David Spicer is the agent for Essgee Pirates.