The Pirates of Penzance Capture the Hearts of St Andrews
We’re halfway through the semester, so that can only mean two things: first (not so fun), it's deadline season, where my coursework is piling up faster than I can say ‘I am the very model of a modern Major-General.’ Second, if my citation of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most famous song is anything to go by, we’re now in the heart of student theatre season, where the weeks of long rehearsals finally pay off.
Last week saw the endearingly notorious Pirates of Penzance dock at the Byre Theatre for a three-night run of performances, and when I was captured and held hostage - uh, I mean kindly invited - to attend opening night, I simply couldn’t say no (seriously, I couldn’t: it was either this or walk the plank). You cannot say these pirates aren’t at all persuasive…
For me, watching the semesterly G&S show is one of the highlights of my academic year, enabling me to break away from film theory and 1960s rock criticism for a night of Victorian operatic shenanigans. With that being said, I had high hopes for Pirates of Penzance. After all, it’s the big one - the very production you think of when someone says Gilbert and Sullivan. It’s got ‘I am the very model of a modern Major- General,’ a chart-topper for sure in Victorian times. Though I must admit (at the risk of being held at gunpoint), as I sat amidst a packed-out theatre of G&S enthusiasts, I struggled to understand what the hype was about. As someone who’s seen five of these shows now, I much prefer the ghostly, gothic Ruddigore, or the poetic posturing of Patience, but that’s just me, I guess.
I might have been quizzical about the story, but that is not to say that I felt the same way about the performance. As usual, the cast gave it their absolute all, from swashbuckling, cartwheeling pirates to fair, frolicking ladies; I once again found myself charmed by these hard-working students and their ability to balance university with learning intricate, vocally demanding songs (and I dare to think my editing gig with The Stand is hard work!). Once again, the Gilbert and Sullivan Society are at the top of their game, doing what they do best:
bringing a smile to the people of St Andrews as the days gradually start to draw in.
Okay pirates, you got your review, now let me out of this treasure chest! It's very dark in here!
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