Aaaar, me hearties...this was a bigtime gamble which came off - that was
you, Fred, was it? People said when they heard that Wrington Drama Club was
putting on Gilbert and Sullivan's "Pirates of Penzance": "Where will they
get enough singers?" Believe me they found them around the area.

Two beautiful stage sets, the sombre chapel ruins so poignant and the shore
with its great barrels, and did you notice the Pirate King's throne built
from driftwood by the club's maritime expert Mark Bullen?

The nine-piece orchestra directed with aplomb by Paul Martin was brilliant,
and supported the singing without drowning it. As G & S operas go this one
was concise and its story-line, improbable as always, made clear.

On Friday night Judith Giorgetti showed great stage presence and a strong
voice -- that silly joke about pirates and pilots came over perfectly.

Andy Smith, in real life a naval officer I'm told, sang and acted Frederick
with a fine voice and considerable conviction. Didn't you just love the
daughters and wards in chancery? Daintily dressed and ageless - yes,
veterans Pat Milne and Echo Irving simpered and sang with the best of them.

Kate Foot gave pleasure as Mabel on Friday night. Bernie Tarleton with his
sonorous speaking voice, dark good looks and splendid baritone was an
impressive Pirate King - no matter if he had to be prompted a couple of
times.

Les Morley put a touch of pathos into his quiet scene in the chapel ruins,
which contrasted so well with his blustering "Model of a modern
Major-General" song.

He's good at stage business: did you watch his fingers constantly twiddling
that "swagger stick"? As for those bold policemen with their trembling
knees and wayward truncheons...oh, it was all so much fun.

Thanks to everyone.

Rosemary Hodges

PS from the Editor: As I saw the matinée (which had some cast changes) can
I add a word (or more) of praise for an outstanding performance from
Alienora Taylor as a hugely comical (and excellent-sounding) Ruth. Great
fun all round.