Austinist Review: The Pirates of Penzance

The Pirates of Penzance is, along with H.M.S. Pinafore and The Mikado, one of Gilbert and Sullivan's best known operettas. No doubt Pirates has some of the most memorable works: "Poor Wandering One," "With Cat-like Tread," and the perennial favorite, "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General." The operetta follows the tale of Frederic, who in his twenty-first year comes to the end of his indenture with the band of Pirates (of Penzance, obvs), decides to go after them because he detests their violent ways, falls in love with a Major-General's daughter, and then finds out he might have to stick with the pirates after all. There are a few plot twists (as to be expected in a G&S work), but everyone gets their happy ending. Or perhaps not: as the sign for sale in the lobby said, "Gilbert and Sullivan considered this their most tragic opera; in the end everyone gets married."

The Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Austin is presenting their take on this work, running through next weekend. In it, Holton Johnson plays the role of Frederic. The quirky chemistry between his character and that of Mabel (played wonderfully by Carol Brown) is evident, especially in their moving duet, "Stay, Frederic, Stay!" Brown's voice really shines throughout the show; her encore of "Poor Wandering One" was a happy surprise. Audience favorite Russell Gregory (we call him that because he got applause as soon as he appeared on stage) was a perfect Police Sergeant, although the two encores of "When the Foeman Bears His Steel" seemed a bit much. There comes a point where the encore serves less as a showcase for a performer and more as a plot-interruption.