The Pirates of Penzance | Porcupine Productions

Porcupine Productions return to St James's Church, Piccadilly, with a new production of The Pirates of Penzance, full of fun and just a little cheekiness to lift the post-Christmas blues! Whatever Covid restrictions are required at the time of the performance will be in place.

Review by Carlyon Viles of the first performance on 4 December 2021 at St Mary's Church, Putney Bridge:

"Porcupine Productions are to be congratulated on a fine production of The Pirates of Penzance. There were enough props and effective costumes to give the feel of a full production, and a flute with piano made such a difference to the accompanimental colour. The reworking for a reduced cast was most successful and lacked nothing of the original. In particular, Annette Dumville's role as the Sergeant of the Police created a whole new interesting character and quite in keeping with the updating of the opera to reflect contemporary affairs. Alex Haigh and Catrin Lewis were ideal and in perfect balance for their roles and moved most gracefully about the stage. Ruth was superbly performed by Sarah Tyler, and with a nice touch of irony, was a rather too 'fine a woman' for Gilbert’s imagination! Leon Berger exuded experience and confidence as the Pirate King and Anthony Scales was most amusing as the Major General, and quite different to the stereotypical character. The old orphan/often joke was so well done, it was like seeing it for the first time. The rest of the ensemble cast, who were soloists in their own right, gave such a bright polished performance and the reprise of the MG’s song in the Finale was so natural and must be forever established."