The Pirates of Penzance

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)

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.

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

Staged by the Port Elizabeth Gilbert & Sullivan Society in 1932, 1934, 1941, 1952, 1963, 1987 and (directed by Rose Cowpar) in 2013.

Staged by the Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society in 1952, 1955, 1960, 1967, 1972, 1976, 1983, 1991, 1999 and 2005

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.

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.

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.203-205

Go to ESAT Bibliography