Pirates of Penzance (Broadway Version)
Book By Sir William Schwenck Gilbert
Music by Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan
Music adaptation by William Elliot
This amateur production is presented by arrangement with JOSEF WEINBERGER LTD, on behalf of MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL of New York
Producer & Choreographer Denise Robinson
Musical Director Ben Batt
Assistant Musical Director Ben Kennedy
~ SYNOPSIS - BACKGROUND ~
The original 'Pirates of Penzance' was created hurriedly in late 1879
after a dash to New York by Sullivan and Gilbert when it became known
to them that numerous versions of 'H.M.S. Pinafore' were being staged
with no acknowledgment to the authors. They realised that they had to
cash in on Pinafore's popularity and so the decision was taken to hastily
complete their then 'work in progress' - 'Pirates of Penzance' with the
intention of staging the premiere in New York as an authorised performance.
A single performance was staged in Paignton to establish UK rights and the official premiere took place on New Year's Eve at the Fifth Avenue Theatre and was a great success with audience and critics alike. As a result of this acclaim, three companies were hastily formed to tour major US cities with the production.
This Broadway version whilst remaining true to the original, incorporates a modified ending and including additional music, opened at the Uris Theatre in New York on January 8th 1981.
A single performance was staged in Paignton to establish UK rights and the official premiere took place on New Year's Eve at the Fifth Avenue Theatre and was a great success with audience and critics alike. As a result of this acclaim, three companies were hastily formed to tour major US cities with the production.
This Broadway version whilst remaining true to the original, incorporates a modified ending and including additional music, opened at the Uris Theatre in New York on January 8th 1981.
~ THE STORY ~
Frederic the apprentice pirate is celebrating the conclusion of his indentures
to the pirate gang and his 21st birthday, and announces his loathing of
his term as a pirate. Meanwhile Ruth, his former nursery maid admits that
she misheard Frederic's father's instructions to her and that it was intended
that he be indentured to be a Pilot NOT a Pirate. She also admits her
intention to leave the band with Frederic, who she hopes to marry. Frederic
however has his doubts since he has no experience whatsoever of the fair
sex.
A group of young ladies are seen making their way to the beach whilst the pirates hide in the rocks. As the ladies are preparing to remove their shoes and stockings prior to entering the water, Frederic emerges to stop them making a scandalous display and beseeches them to help him reform. All except Mabel reject his plea, whilst the others question her reasons. As Frederic pleads with them to leave, the pirates rush in and claim a lady each with the idea of instant matrimony. The girls are startled and proclaim that their father is a Major-General, who then strides on stage. He proclaims the merits of being a modern Major-General and also claims to be an orphan as are all the pirates.
The Second Act opens as the girls find their father weeping in the chapel full of remorse for lying to the pirates. As they comfort him, Frederic announces that he and a reluctant police squad are off to do battle with the pirates. Before they depart, the Pirate King and Ruth enter to tell Frederic that as he was born on February 29th, he would not be 21 until 1940. Frederic realises his piratical obligations and reports the Major-General's untruths to the Pirate King who immediately vows vengeance.
Mabel begs Frederic to stay with her but then agrees to wait for him until 1940 when he would be free! Without a leader, the police are not keen to proceed and hide as the pirates approach. Hearing their footsteps the pirates also make themselves scarce. The Major-General enters to investigate, followed by the girls in their nightgowns and seizing the opportunity, the pirates emerge to capture the Major-General, whilst the police follow to capture the pirates. In desperation the police Sergeant calls on the pirates To yield in Queen Victoria's name'. The Pirate King yields 'as they all love their Queen'.
Ruth steps forward to explain that they are not commoners but noblemen who have gone wrong. On hearing this the Major-General offers his daughters 'all of whom are beauties'. They all pair off and agree that they long for unbounded domesticity and desire to be conjugally matrimonified by a Doctor of Divinity who resides in the immediate vicinity.
A group of young ladies are seen making their way to the beach whilst the pirates hide in the rocks. As the ladies are preparing to remove their shoes and stockings prior to entering the water, Frederic emerges to stop them making a scandalous display and beseeches them to help him reform. All except Mabel reject his plea, whilst the others question her reasons. As Frederic pleads with them to leave, the pirates rush in and claim a lady each with the idea of instant matrimony. The girls are startled and proclaim that their father is a Major-General, who then strides on stage. He proclaims the merits of being a modern Major-General and also claims to be an orphan as are all the pirates.
The Second Act opens as the girls find their father weeping in the chapel full of remorse for lying to the pirates. As they comfort him, Frederic announces that he and a reluctant police squad are off to do battle with the pirates. Before they depart, the Pirate King and Ruth enter to tell Frederic that as he was born on February 29th, he would not be 21 until 1940. Frederic realises his piratical obligations and reports the Major-General's untruths to the Pirate King who immediately vows vengeance.
Mabel begs Frederic to stay with her but then agrees to wait for him until 1940 when he would be free! Without a leader, the police are not keen to proceed and hide as the pirates approach. Hearing their footsteps the pirates also make themselves scarce. The Major-General enters to investigate, followed by the girls in their nightgowns and seizing the opportunity, the pirates emerge to capture the Major-General, whilst the police follow to capture the pirates. In desperation the police Sergeant calls on the pirates To yield in Queen Victoria's name'. The Pirate King yields 'as they all love their Queen'.
Ruth steps forward to explain that they are not commoners but noblemen who have gone wrong. On hearing this the Major-General offers his daughters 'all of whom are beauties'. They all pair off and agree that they long for unbounded domesticity and desire to be conjugally matrimonified by a Doctor of Divinity who resides in the immediate vicinity.
~ THE CAST ~
PIRATE KING |
Nicholas Sullivan |
FREDERIC |
Andrew Dowbiggin |
RUTH |
Brenda Arnold |
MABEL |
Rachel Cleary |
SAMUEL |
Chris Dowen |
EDITH (A DAUGHTER) |
Natalie Gayle |
KATE (A DAUGHTER) |
Samantha Dale |
ISABELLE (A DAUGHTER) |
Rachael Owens |
MAJOR GENERAL |
John Latham |
POLICE SERGEANT |
Paul Bowater |
~ FEMALE CHORUS ~
Clare Berry, Viv Brown, Claire Cooper, Melissa Dovey, Megan Dowen, Amy Duffy, Sue Harris, Pam Hughes, Sharon Hughes, Emma Jones, Rebecca Leadbeater, Elaine Luter, Sarah Marrison, Adelle Morgan, Jenny Morgan, Ashleigh Moss, Nicki Poyntz, Alison Walker, Glynis Ward, Colleen Webb, Lisa Weston
~ MALE CHORUS ~
John Arnold, David Barr, Brian Daybell, John Deakin, Chris Eastup, Chris Frost, Andrew Gobsill, Daffyd Gough, James Hill, Reg Morgan, John Needham, Steve Noakes, Eric Page, Alf Rai, Dan Smith, Dave Storey, Lee Tarbuck
~ NON ACTING MEMBERS ~
Peter Arnold, David Ball, Phaedre Brickwood, Sarah Cleary, Jean Daybell, Bob Fearn, Merril Fearn, Joan Fowell, John Fowell, Marilyn Goodwin, Jane Hastilow, Laurie Hickman, Stephanie Hickman, Cynthia Hill, Malcolm Hill, Sarah Houghton, Ann Lowe, Kerene McKeown, Frank Meacham, Jean Meacham, Les Middleton, Margaret Middleton, Paul Middleton, Sue Turner, Mary Vickers, Pat Wall, Fred Whittingham, Anne Woolley, Janine Wright, Amy Penzer, Greg Yates
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PIRATE KING - Nick Sullivan |
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FREDERIC - Andrew Dowbiggin Andrew joined the company in 2003 to play 'Charlie Davenport' in the production of "Annie Get Your Gun". He was our principal soloist in the successful spring concert at Perton. Andrew trained at LAMDA and has performed at many venues including Leicester Haymarket Theatre. His ambition is to progress and enjoy a professional career in musical theatre. Andrew says he is "well chuffed" to have the opportunity of playing Frederic and thanks everyone for their support. |
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RUTH - Brenda Arnold Breand has been a long standing and committed member of Bilston for many years both on and off stage and with husband Pete provides generous support for the company. Brenda is also a non-acting member of Willenhall Operatic Company and during her varied stage career she has performed many principal roles including 'Belinda' in "Belinda Fair", 'Babe Williams' in "Pajama Game", 'Kate' in "Kiss Me Kate" and many others. As a respected Vocal teacher Brenda is delighted that four of her present pupils are performing leading roles in this production. |
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MABEL - Rachel Cleary This is Rachel's second show for Bilston, previously taking the stage as 'Annie' in "Annie Get Your Gun" in 2003. Although relatively new to Bilston, Rachel has performed several times with Bridgnorth Operatic Company as 'Maria' in "West Side Story" and 'Mabel' in their production of "Pirates of Penzance". Rachel is grateful to the production team for thier expertise and aid. |
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SAMUEL - Chris Dowen< Chris joined the company in 2001 for "The Slipper And The Rose". He is looking forward to his first principal role and would like to thank the production team for giving him the opportunity to play the part of Samuel in this years show. He has also been a member of Willenhall Operatic Company and Rainbow Pantomimes where he played the part of Demo Black Heart in Cinderella. |
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EDITH (A DAUGHTER) - Natalie Gayle Natalie began operatics when she was 14 with North Worcs. Operatic Society. She has also been a member of TAB, BHAOS, Kinver Light and 2nd Generation (Kidderminster). She began as a dancer and then progressed to such roles as 'Jack' in "Jack And The Beanstalk", 'Carrie' in "Carousel", 'Minnie Fay' in "Hello Dolly", 'Charlie' in "Charlie Girl" and 'Annie Oakley' in "Annie Get Your Gun". In her spare time she runs a fancy dress shop and teaches Drama at Centre Stage Theatre School in Norton, Stourbridge. |
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KATE (A DAUGHTER) - Samantha Dale Sam has been a member of Bilston Operatic for several years, as a loyal member of the chorus. Sam is also a member of Trinity Operatic Society where she perfomed the part of 'Kate' in the origional Gilbert and Sullivan production of "Pirates of Penzance". Sam studied BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts for her A levels and she is currently studying at Birmingham Theatre School towards a 1 year acting diploma degree. |
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ISABELLE (A DAUGHTER) - Racheal Owens Although this is Racheal's first production with Bilston she is no stranger to performing. She has appeared in productions of "Whistle Down The Wind" and "Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat", and taken principal roles in school productions of "Annie", "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Oliver". In the last two years Racheal has used her talents to raise over £2,500 for charity whilst studying at St. Dominic's School, and is currently at Wolverhampton Grammer School. |
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MAJOR GENERAL - John Latham This is John's first chance to perform with Bilston and he considers that being cast as Major-General is the years second celebration for him, the first being the Pearl Wedding Anniversary which he shared with his long suffering wife Carole. Although John has taken leading roles with other companies including 'Danny' in "Grease", 'Fagin' in "Oliver" and his most favourite 'Barnum' in "Barnum" this will be his first appearance at the Grand Theatre. He is delighted to share the stage with Bilston among many new friends. |
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POLICE SERGEANT - Paul Bowater Paul has been singing and performing with local operatic societies for the past 6 years. He has played many roles including the 'Major General' in "Pirates of Penzance", 'Puck' in "A Midsummer Nights Dream", 'Mr. Fezzi-Wig' in "A Christmas Carol" and his favourite to date, 'Ko-Ko' in "The Mikado". He performed for our society lasy year in the chorus of "Annie Get Your Gun". |