or
The Slave of Duty
Book by Sir William S. Gilbert
Music by Sir Arthur Sullivan
Synopsis
Act I
Act I is set on the rocky shore of Cornwall where the infamous Pirates of Penzance, led by the Pirate King, are celebrating the 21st birthday of their apprentice, Frederic. The pirates are highly amused to hear that the only reason Frederic became a pirate was because his nursemaid, Ruth, was slightly hard of hearing ('pilot' and 'pirate' being so alike!). However, Frederic announces that he has done his duty whilst and apprentice, but now out of his indentures, he intends to abandon his life as a pirate and make amends for his terrible past by bringing his fellow comrades to justice. The pirates manage to persuade Frederic (who has never set eyes on another woman but Ruth in his life) to take Ruth with him - much to her delight - and bid Frederic farewell.
Unfortunately for Ruth, the daughters of Major-General Stanley appear in the distance and on seeing such a 'bevy of beautiful maidens', Frederic realises Ruth is not the beauty she made herself out to be and sends her away. Frederic, amazed by the girls' beauty, begs one of them to marry him and is thrilled when Mable agrees. After getting better acquainted with his new love, Frederic warns the girls that they should leave the shore in case his former colleagues come back- but, too late, the pirates reappear intent on carrying off the rest of the daughters. The Major-General arrives and, on claiming to be an orphan, secures the release of his daughters.
Act II
Act II is set in a ruined chapel owned by Major-General Stanley. It is evening and the Major-General is wracked with guilt - he admits he is not an orphan and told this 'terrible story' to escape from the pirates. He is unable to rest as he fears retribution from the pirates and is pleased that Frederic has recruited a team of policemen to capture the pirates that very night. Before Frederic can lead the policemen to death and glory, the Pirate King reappears and tells Frederic of a paradox, resulting in Frederic still being indentured to the pirates. Frederic's sense of duty results in him rejoining the pirates and telling them Major-General Stanley is no orphan. The pirates vow revenge for such trickery and the inevitable battle between the pirates and the policemen takes place.
Luckily for all concerned, the plot twists and turns in typical Gilbertian fashion, thus avoiding disaster and providing a happy ending for all!
Cast List
| The Pirate King |
David Peston |
| Frederic |
David Loxham |
| Samuel |
Alan Roberts |
| Major-General Stanley |
Roger Dowlen |
| The Sergeant of Police |
Adrian Gray |
| Ruth |
Karen Harvey |
| Mabel |
Carol Hobbs |
| Edith |
Sarah Wagman |
| Kate |
Janice Edgar |
| Isabel |
Emily Elliott |
Chorus of
Pirates, Police and Major-General Stanley's Daughters
Sharon Brandelli, Linda Bryceland, Robin Desbois,
Grant Graves,
Tom Goulder, Christine Hubbard, Ken Johnson, Nigel
Kelly, Kate Lewis,
Ken McMaster, Chris St.John, Kim Thompson,
Gillian Tompsett
Orchestra
Conductor: Rodney Gibson
Violins: Alison Wyatt, Mandy
Wyatt
Viola: Julia Pugsley
Cello: Fran Newberry
Double Bass: Carina
Cosgrave
Flute: Sarah Bennington Oboe:
Katie Bennington
Clarinet: Andrew Wyatt Bassoon: Chris
Rawley
Horn: Julie James Trumpet: Matthew Patterson
Percussion: John Wyatt
(assembled by Mandy Wyatt)
Production
| Director |
Clare Shah |
| Musical Director |
Rodney Gibson |
| Set Design and Construction |
Dave Smith |
| Scenic Artist |
Jill Kelly |
| Lighting |
Stan Head |
| Wardrobe |
Haslemere Wardrobe |
| Costumes |
Chris Hubbard |
| Dressing Room Assistants |
Pam Erwood, Sue St.John, Doris Griffiths & Friends of the Society |
| Make-Up Adviser |
Maggie Lamb |
| Props Manager |
Janice Edgar |
| Stage Manager |
Dave Smith |
| Stage Crew |
Wayne Elliott |
| House Manager |
Liz Graves |
| Front of House |
Friends of the Society |
| Box Office |
Doris Griffiths |
| Bar |
Friends of the Society |
"What a truly magnificent super show this was. MHAOS
are really back on top form and this was
great to see. You could not
have chosen a better production than this to remind everyone
of how magnificent you are and still going strong after
fifty years. What an achievement!
"Many light and
extra comic touches which added even more to the enjoyment of this classic
G&S...
The choreography was
terrific.
"All the musical numbers were lovely with some fine chorus
harmonies. Plus Hail Poetry was an utter
joy to listen to - just
magic!
"The chorus sounded magnificent... All the voices
blended perfectly with beautiful harmonious singing...
I will be nominating
the chorus for a NODA award at the AGM in 2005.
"Sets
and scenery by Dave Smith and Jill Kelly were really great...I would also like
to nominate this for
Set
Award at the NODA AGM next year. Lighting and sound were both
excellent.
Costumes all looked great, very colourful and
pretty."
|
Report of the National Operatic & Dramatic Association |
Our grateful thanks to everyone who helped with this production.