OA: Pirates of Penzance

[megziid]

Saw Saturday's matinee, Dennis' first Melbourne performance. I'd already seen both the televised one in Dec and twice in Adelaide, and it gets better every time.

I didn't like it very much on TV. I thought it was too bland, except for Warlow's over-acting (too much Jack Sparrow). But when I saw it in Adelaide, I loved it. David Campbell brought more of himself to the role than just making it a caricature, Ben Rasheed is far superior to Andrew Brundson as Samuel (and I'm not at all biased ), and Dennis Olsen is the King of G&S.

Warlow was much better live - I think that the recording actually put him at a disadvantage. He played to the back of the theatre, was more relaxed in the role, and he's found a comfortable "singing accent" for the character (He had been having trouble maintaining his Depp impersonation when he sang earlier).

I preferred David Thelander (in Adelaide) as The Sergeant of Police, I though he was funnier, but I really can't define why. Probably just personal preference.

Lastly, you wouldn't know that Dennis Olsen had just arrived. He's consumate, and although I would have liked to see Reg Livermore's take on the role, I was just so excited that I was going to see Dennis' performance again.

Oh, and Stuart Maunder (the director) stepped in for Reg on Friday Night. That would have been something to see!

[Talissa]

Having seen all three of the Major Generals (John Bolton Wood up in Sydney, and both Reg and Dennis down here), I suppose I'd classify them respectively as an opera singer, a comedian and an actor. It's the latter two I've preferred, especially Dennis for the chance to actually see him on stage performing G&S.

Unfortunately the video of a stage production will never do it justice, especially in one where there's so much going on. And when it is someone like Warlow who's such a natural stage performer, it will come across differently from how it would live, but it is better than nothing.

I saw Richard Alexander as Sergeant of Police in Sydney, and think I preferred him, but I'm possibly biased towards him since I've seen and enjoyed him in other roles previously.

I think I mentioned at the time that I saw Dominica Matthews as Ruth in Sydney, and having now seen Suzanne Johnston in the role, I'd have to say I found Dominica stronger despite her youth. She's one who should do very well.

Minor quibble, though. If the girls must have trains on their nighties, will they please all carry them on their left wrist. If one has it on her right, it sticks out a bit.

[jackjackjack]

I saw it today. I don't know if I had raised expectations, but I probably liked this considerably less than OAs Mikado or Pinafore/Trial.

I'm pretty sure the biggest hand was after a song from Ruddigore, and Cat Like Tread was almost flat, which doesn't seem possible.

I did like the costumes though and the set was quaint and well used, but seemed to be missing something.

James