The Pirates of Penzance (TV 1985)

Director:

Norman Campbell

Writer:

William S. Gilbert (operetta)

Stars:

Brent Carver, Jeff Hyslop, Caralyn Tomlin

Cast

Credited cast:
Brent Carver	...	Pirate King
Jeff Hyslop	...	Frederic
Caralyn Tomlin	...	Mabel
Douglas Chamberlain	...	Maj. Gen. Stanley
Pat Galloway	...	Ruth
Jim White	...	Samuel
Stephen Beamish	...	Sergeant of police
Karen Skidmore	...	Kate
Karen Wood	...	Edith
Allison Grant	...	Isabel
Wendy Abbott	...	Blue Stocking
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Marion Adler	...	Chorus
Michael Beattie	...	Chorus
Aggie Cekuta	...	Chorus (as Aggie Cekuta Elliot)
Timothy Cruickshank	...	Chorus

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

operetta | gilbert and sullivan | comic opera | independent film

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical

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Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Filming Locations:

Stratford, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Revisions to the original include added dialogue for the maidens in Act I; new final verses for "Oh, Better Far to Live and Die" and "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General" (which contains a specific reference to John Turner's 1984 Prime Ministry of Canada); and the ballet music for the fight between the pirates and policemen in Act II.

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Connections

Version of The Pirates of Penzance (1980)

User Reviews

Poor Pirates.

Although an interesting interpretation, the Stratford production of "Pirates of Penzance" failed to do the original material justice. Like most post-Papp productions, this one attempted to turn the operetta into a more traditional musical. What this amounted to was ultimately extended dancing and almost every number ending in a tableau. Much of the dialog was extended but added little. The dancing was decent, but few of the actors' voices were really exquisite.

Norman Campbell seems to be the major problem of the production. The actors look as though they'd been directed to milk their parts for laughs, and some of the genuinely funny parts of the libretto seemed considerably less humorous after the many other effective, but cheap laughs. Campbell also falls into the category of directors who don't believe an audience can sit through an overture and feels the need to place dancers on stage throughout the overture, sometimes even talking over the orchestra.

Of note, however, was Pat Galloway as Ruth, whose sometimes rough voice suited the character fabulously.

The quality of this specific taping was pretty dismal. Although the production was partly to blame, the camera operators didn't quite seem sure of what they were doing.

In conclusion, it's a mediocre production, but worth a look if you're interested in other version of the operetta.