Difference between revisions of "The Pirates of Penzance"
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The opera's had its official premiere at the Fifth Avenue Theatre, New York, on 31 December 1879 and then made its debut at the Opera Comique in London on 3 April 1880, running for 363 performances. | The opera's had its official premiere at the Fifth Avenue Theatre, New York, on 31 December 1879 and then made its debut at the Opera Comique in London on 3 April 1880, running for 363 performances. | ||
| + | |||
| + | One of the most frequently played Gilbert and Sullivan operas, it has been a staple piece for the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company in Britain, it has been frequently played by opera companies and repertory companies worldwide, including the Joseph Papp's award-winning 1981 Broadway production and a 1983 film adaptation. | ||
==Translations and adaptations== | ==Translations and adaptations== | ||
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== Performance history in South Africa == | == Performance history in South Africa == | ||
| + | ===19th century productions=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | 1870s: Apparently performed by [[Disney Roebuck]] and his company in the [[Theatre Royal]], Burg Street, Cape Town, during his sojourn there. | ||
| + | |||
| + | 1870: Performed in Port Elizabeth at the [[Theatre Royal]] by [[Charles du Val]] with the [[Scarelso Opera Company]] and [[Verdi Opera Company]] from Italy. | ||
| + | |||
| + | 1887: Performed by the [[Searelle Opera Company]] under the auspices of the [[Wheeler Company]], as part of the large repertoire of operatic works, at the [[Opera House]] Cape Town over the course of nearly 8 months. | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''''circa'' 1900:''' Performed by [[Amos Bailey]] and the [[Woodstock Amateur Operatic Society]], Cape Town, as their first production in an improvised theatre in a small school room in Woodstock. Directed by Bailey, with miss [[J. Robb]] as pianist and Mr [[C. Cock]] as conductor, with a cast that included [[Jessy Greenshields]] (as "Mabel"), [[Frank Robb]] (as "Major-Genral Stanley"), [[Amos Bailey]] (as "the "Pirate King"), [[A. Bennett]] ("Frederic") and [[W. Robb]] (as "Sergeant of Police"). | ||
| + | |||
| + | === 20th century productions === | ||
| + | |||
| + | While the opera has been done by a number of professional companies over the years, it has largely been a standard item in the repertoires of the various [[Gilbert and Sullivan]] societies in South Africa over the course of the 20th century, and into the 21st. | ||
| + | |||
| + | 1932: Presented by the [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert & Sullivan Society]] at the [[City Hall]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | 1934: Presented by the [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert & Sullivan Society]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | 1941: Presented by the [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert & Sullivan Society]]. | ||
| − | + | 1952: Presented by the [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert & Sullivan Society]]. | |
| − | + | 1952: Presented by the [[Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society]]. | |
| + | |||
| + | 1955: Presented by the [[Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | 1960: Presented by the [[Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | 1963: Presented by the [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert & Sullivan Society]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | 1967: Presented by the [[Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | 1972: Presented by the [[Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | 1976: Presented by the [[Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society]]. | ||
1983: A [[Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society]] production was directed by [[Helen Houghton]] at the [[Baxter Theatre]], with [[Cliff Downey]], [[Peter Kramer]], [[Ted Faulkner]], [[Henry Lankester]], [[Graham Boxall]], [[Aletta Loopuyt]], [[Lesley Jennings]], [[Estelle Aucamp]], [[Cindy Nixon]] and [[Elaine Berkman]]. | 1983: A [[Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society]] production was directed by [[Helen Houghton]] at the [[Baxter Theatre]], with [[Cliff Downey]], [[Peter Kramer]], [[Ted Faulkner]], [[Henry Lankester]], [[Graham Boxall]], [[Aletta Loopuyt]], [[Lesley Jennings]], [[Estelle Aucamp]], [[Cindy Nixon]] and [[Elaine Berkman]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | 1986: [[Geoffrey Sutherland]] directed ''[[The Pirates of Penzance]]'' starring [[Clive Scott]], [[Julie Wilson]], [[Edwin van Wyk]] and [[Colleen-Rae Holmes]] for [[NAPAC]] which was brought to the [[Civic Theatre]] by [[PACT]] in December 1986. | ||
| + | |||
| + | 1987: Presented by the [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert & Sullivan Society]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | 1991: Presented by the [[Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | 1999: Presented by the [[Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | === 21st century productions === | ||
| + | |||
| + | 2005: Presented by the [[Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society]]. | ||
2011-2012: A pocket version of the musical was directed by [[Greg Homann]] and presented by [[Daphne Kuhn]] at the [[Theatre on the Square]]. The 2012 cast consisted of [[Michael Richard]], [[Jonathan Taylor]], [[Clinton Hawks]], [[David Dennis]], and [[Keaton Ditchfield]] , with choreography by [[Shelley Adriaanzen]], musical direction by [[Kevin Kraak]]. | 2011-2012: A pocket version of the musical was directed by [[Greg Homann]] and presented by [[Daphne Kuhn]] at the [[Theatre on the Square]]. The 2012 cast consisted of [[Michael Richard]], [[Jonathan Taylor]], [[Clinton Hawks]], [[David Dennis]], and [[Keaton Ditchfield]] , with choreography by [[Shelley Adriaanzen]], musical direction by [[Kevin Kraak]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | 2013: Performed by the [[Port Elizabeth Gilbert & Sullivan Society]], directed by [[Rose Cowpar]]. | ||
2015: Produced by [[The Waterfront Theatre Company]] in association with [[Artscape]] June 3rd to June 6th. Directed by [[Paul Griffiths]] with a large ensemble cast with leading roles being shared by [[Megan Spencer]] and [[Jocelyn Roskilly]] as "Mabel Stanley", [[Dirk Joubert]] and [[Dean De Klerk]] as "Frederick". Also featured are [[Ryan Arnold]], [[Jules Stols]], [[Thembilihle Benenengu]] and [[Nathan Kruger]]. Musical direction by [[Jaco Griessel]], set design by [[Deon Bischoff]] and costumes by [[Delia Sainsbury]]. | 2015: Produced by [[The Waterfront Theatre Company]] in association with [[Artscape]] June 3rd to June 6th. Directed by [[Paul Griffiths]] with a large ensemble cast with leading roles being shared by [[Megan Spencer]] and [[Jocelyn Roskilly]] as "Mabel Stanley", [[Dirk Joubert]] and [[Dean De Klerk]] as "Frederick". Also featured are [[Ryan Arnold]], [[Jules Stols]], [[Thembilihle Benenengu]] and [[Nathan Kruger]]. Musical direction by [[Jaco Griessel]], set design by [[Deon Bischoff]] and costumes by [[Delia Sainsbury]]. | ||
| + | |||
== Sources == | == Sources == | ||
| − | + | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pirates_of_Penzance | |
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._S._Gilbert | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._S._Gilbert | ||
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Sullivan | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Sullivan | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
[[D.C. Boonzaier]], 1923. "My playgoing days – 30 years in the history of the Cape Town stage", in ''SA Review'', 9 March and 24 August 1932. (Reprinted in [[F.C.L. Bosman|Bosman]] 1980: pp. 374-439.) | [[D.C. Boonzaier]], 1923. "My playgoing days – 30 years in the history of the Cape Town stage", in ''SA Review'', 9 March and 24 August 1932. (Reprinted in [[F.C.L. Bosman|Bosman]] 1980: pp. 374-439.) | ||
| − | [[F.C.L. Bosman]]. 1980. ''Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1912''. Pretoria: [[J.L. van Schaik]]: pp. | + | [[F.C.L. Bosman]]. 1980. ''Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1912''. Pretoria: [[J.L. van Schaik]]: pp.385, 423-4 |
Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]] | Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]] | ||
Latest revision as of 21:36, 25 September 2024
The Pirates of Penzance is a comic opera in two acts by W.S. Gilbert (1836–1911)[1] and the composer Arthur Sullivan (1842–1900)[2]
While the full title is The Pirates of Penzance, or The Slave of Duty, it is best known by the shorter title. (Also referred to at times simply as Pirates of Penzance)
Contents
The original text
The opera's had its official premiere at the Fifth Avenue Theatre, New York, on 31 December 1879 and then made its debut at the Opera Comique in London on 3 April 1880, running for 363 performances.
One of the most frequently played Gilbert and Sullivan operas, it has been a staple piece for the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company in Britain, it has been frequently played by opera companies and repertory companies worldwide, including the Joseph Papp's award-winning 1981 Broadway production and a 1983 film adaptation.
Translations and adaptations
Performance history in South Africa
19th century productions
1870s: Apparently performed by Disney Roebuck and his company in the Theatre Royal, Burg Street, Cape Town, during his sojourn there.
1870: Performed in Port Elizabeth at the Theatre Royal by Charles du Val with the Scarelso Opera Company and Verdi Opera Company from Italy.
1887: Performed by the Searelle Opera Company under the auspices of the Wheeler Company, as part of the large repertoire of operatic works, at the Opera House Cape Town over the course of nearly 8 months.
circa 1900: Performed by Amos Bailey and the Woodstock Amateur Operatic Society, Cape Town, as their first production in an improvised theatre in a small school room in Woodstock. Directed by Bailey, with miss J. Robb as pianist and Mr C. Cock as conductor, with a cast that included Jessy Greenshields (as "Mabel"), Frank Robb (as "Major-Genral Stanley"), Amos Bailey (as "the "Pirate King"), A. Bennett ("Frederic") and W. Robb (as "Sergeant of Police").
20th century productions
While the opera has been done by a number of professional companies over the years, it has largely been a standard item in the repertoires of the various Gilbert and Sullivan societies in South Africa over the course of the 20th century, and into the 21st.
1932: Presented by the Port Elizabeth Gilbert & Sullivan Society at the City Hall.
1934: Presented by the Port Elizabeth Gilbert & Sullivan Society.
1941: Presented by the Port Elizabeth Gilbert & Sullivan Society.
1952: Presented by the Port Elizabeth Gilbert & Sullivan Society.
1952: Presented by the Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society.
1955: Presented by the Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society.
1960: Presented by the Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society.
1963: Presented by the Port Elizabeth Gilbert & Sullivan Society.
1967: Presented by the Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society.
1972: Presented by the Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society.
1976: Presented by the Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society.
1983: A Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society production was directed by Helen Houghton at the Baxter Theatre, with Cliff Downey, Peter Kramer, Ted Faulkner, Henry Lankester, Graham Boxall, Aletta Loopuyt, Lesley Jennings, Estelle Aucamp, Cindy Nixon and Elaine Berkman.
1986: Geoffrey Sutherland directed The Pirates of Penzance starring Clive Scott, Julie Wilson, Edwin van Wyk and Colleen-Rae Holmes for NAPAC which was brought to the Civic Theatre by PACT in December 1986.
1987: Presented by the Port Elizabeth Gilbert & Sullivan Society.
1991: Presented by the Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society.
1999: Presented by the Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society.
21st century productions
2005: Presented by the Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society.
2011-2012: A pocket version of the musical was directed by Greg Homann and presented by Daphne Kuhn at the Theatre on the Square. The 2012 cast consisted of Michael Richard, Jonathan Taylor, Clinton Hawks, David Dennis, and Keaton Ditchfield , with choreography by Shelley Adriaanzen, musical direction by Kevin Kraak.
2013: Performed by the Port Elizabeth Gilbert & Sullivan Society, directed by Rose Cowpar.
2015: Produced by The Waterfront Theatre Company in association with Artscape June 3rd to June 6th. Directed by Paul Griffiths with a large ensemble cast with leading roles being shared by Megan Spencer and Jocelyn Roskilly as "Mabel Stanley", Dirk Joubert and Dean De Klerk as "Frederick". Also featured are Ryan Arnold, Jules Stols, Thembilihle Benenengu and Nathan Kruger. Musical direction by Jaco Griessel, set design by Deon Bischoff and costumes by Delia Sainsbury.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pirates_of_Penzance
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._S._Gilbert
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Sullivan
D.C. Boonzaier, 1923. "My playgoing days – 30 years in the history of the Cape Town stage", in SA Review, 9 March and 24 August 1932. (Reprinted in Bosman 1980: pp. 374-439.)
F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1912. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp.385, 423-4
Go to ESAT Bibliography
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