Gilbert & Sullivan - The Pirates of Penzance / Jon English, Simon Gallaher, Helen Donaldson, Toni Lamond, Derek Metzger, Tim Tyler, Craig Schaffer
by Craig Schaefer, Peter Butler
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DVD details
Actor: Derek Metzger, Helen Donaldson, Jon English, Tim Tyler, Toni LamondDirector: Craig Schaefer, Peter Butler
Brand: KULTUR
Producer: Simon Gallaher
Writer: Melvyn Morrow
Writer: William S. Gilbert
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Classical, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 115 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-07-25
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Kultur Video
DVD Reviews of Gilbert & Sullivan - The Pirates of Penzance / Jon English, Simon Gallaher, Helen Donaldson, Toni Lamond, Derek Metzger, Tim Tyler, Craig Schaffer
DVD Review: a travesty, if you care at all about the music
Summary: 1 Stars
I'm all for updating Gilbert & Sullivan's operettas for modern audiences. But if you care a whit for Arthur Sullivan's music, this "Pirates" is a travesty.
The melodies may be Sullivan's, but the orchestra for which he wrote is gone -- replaced by a second-rate synthetic-keyboard score. Though Arthur Sullivan wrote his best-known compositions for the comic opera, he wanted his music to be taken seriously. This "Pirates" offers a pathetic electronic score that can ill be taken as anything but an insult not only to Mr. Sullivan and his compositional art, but to the listener as well.
I've got nothing against modern revisions of Gilbert & Sullivan's greatest works. W.S. Gilbert's witty jabs at the politicians and cultural icons of his own day can can easily be lost on modern audiences. Thus renewed lyrics, taking fresh jabs today's celebrities and politicians may keep satirical ditties -- such as Ko-Ko's "little list" in "The Mikado" -- as relevant and alive to modern ears as W.S. Gilbert's original text was to the Victorian Britons for whom he wrote. Jonathan Miller's notion of casting casting Eric Idle as Lord High Executioner, and dressing the characters -- including the Mikado and his court -- in the a cartoonish garb of inspired by 1920s Chicago gangsters seems rather bizarre at first -- but it works. See Gilbert & Sullivan - The Mikado / Eric Idle, Lesley Garrett, Richard Van Allan, Felicity Palmer, Richard Angas, Bonaventura Bottone, Susan Bullock, English National Opera
Craig Schaeffer's "Pirates" does not work. It is a horrible disappointment.
DVD Review: Pure Entertainment; Just Enjoy!
Summary: 5 Stars
I am a huge Musical Theater fan and ever since seeing Pirates of Penzance for the first time back when I was a freshman in high school, I have loved it ever since. The version I saw in HS followed the original pretty well, with a few minor adjustments here and there, so I made sure to a proffesional version of it later on. Now this particular Pirtes does not follow the original play as well as some might want it to, but I found it to be an utter joy.
I discovered this Australian cast version while searching the many videos on youtube for songs from Pirates and was absolutely taken with the entertainment/hilarity of this version. Sure it isn't the proper G&S version of Pirates, I believe it's a bit of a parody, but I love it!!! This version seems like it was made for the sake of entertainment, so just enjoy it! Sure some of the dialogue has changed and a lot of the music has been modernized with a bit of a Rock feel to it and the characters may be a bit over the top at times, it's funny and meant to be laughed at and enjoyed!
For those looking for a more traditional rendition of Pirates, I would suggest the Australian Opera version. Though not at funny or entertaining as this one, Its the beloved version of Pirates most of us know and love. So I suggest this to anyone looking for a bit of fun, hilarity, slight stupidity and all around entertainment. Just make sure you aren't TOO critical about it, otherwise you'll spend the entire prformance pointing out what: is wrong or doesn't follow the original, and you won't be able to just enjoy it for what it is.
DVD Review: A Different Pirates
Summary: 3 Stars
We really do enjoy watching this DVD, but I have to say at my first viewing it struck me as a very bad joke. Once the initial shock had worn off I really began to enjoy it, most of it that is. The main reason I'm writing this review is to object to the performance of General Stanley. This character makes me angry every time we see it. This goof is trying so hard to be funny it's embarassing to watch. Thank God his parts can be fast forwarded. Otherwise the production is fun, providing you accept the fact that it really is a parody of one of G&S's best.DVD Review: Awesome over the top fun
Summary: 5 Stars
Yes, at some time or another in this production, every cast member does some mugging for the audience. Some more than others. Some of it is down right shameless. The thing is, I saw a portion of this on the ARTS cable network before I bought it and read the reviews here so I had an idea what I was getting. I got exactly what I expected. This DVD gives you excellent performers (maybe not great actors) but fantastic performers. The biggest ham is John English as the pirate king. His interplay with the conductor is terrific and as other reviewers have stated, he is not taking his role seriously. If however, you watch the performance it is obvious that every move has been rehearsed over and over and that all these spontaneous acts come off flawlessly. Derek Metzger as the major-general was a bit annoying with his extra antics, but I could live with that. Tim Tyler as the sergeant did a nice job but I especailly enjoyed his bit with (I think they were ping-pong balls)after his first entrance. Simon Gallaher as Frederic was great and Helen Donaldson was the first Maybel I've ever seen that actually seemed to have a personality. Most Maybels are just there looking cute and singing. She actually used expressions starting with her first entrance: Yes it's Maaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy Bel! Then she got in to the part with the marching song. Hmmm..Good acting and a nice voice. Nice concept. I also would be neglectful if I did not mention the 3 daughters of the Major-General. They indeed tend to chew up the scenery when they were on, but those ladies had some talent!!! This DVD provided exactly what I expected and what I hoped for when I ordered it. This is just 115 minutes of fun. Even the opening overture starts out with the cast having fun with Gilbert and Sullivan. I've read that G & S purists might not like this production. I don't know what a G & S purist is. I love Gilbert and Sullivan and this version did not offend me at all. Maybe I'm not a purist. If you're not a 'purist', don't miss this version of Pirates of Penzance. If you enjoy it once, you will want to watch it again...and again...and again...and...well, you get it. This is an easy DVD to recommend.DVD Review: Wonderful entertainment!
Summary: 5 Stars
This Australian production of "The Pirates of Penzance" is totally hilarious. I would only recommend it to those who are not G&S purists. I'm sure that Gilbert would be rolling in his grave if he were to see it. However, I'm always happy to have fun with "camped up" versions of G&S productions as well as those true to the original production.
Jon English makes an unforgettable and totally hilarious Pirate King. Simon Gallaher, (Frederick), as well as Helen Donaldson make a beautiful couple. The entire cast and orchestra are outstanding.
I highly recommend it!!
Laurie
Description of Gilbert & Sullivan - The Pirates of Penzance / Jon English, Simon Gallaher, Helen Donaldson, Toni Lamond, Derek Metzger, Tim Tyler, Craig Schaffer
Gilbert and Sullivan's hilarious comic operetta tells the story of the orphan Frederic. The son of a wealthy 19th century man, Frederic's fate takes a sudden twist when, after his father's death, his hard-of-hearing nursemaid finds him an apprenticeshop as a pirate instead of a pilot! He fulfills his apprenticeship with not just any old pirate, rather, it's with the Pirate King himself, the leader of the not-so-fierce "Pirates of Penzance." But now at age 21 and with his indenture ending, Frederic's sense of duty calls him to rid the seas of his former friends. Despite their track record, the pirates believe they have an ace up their collective sleeves, a way of keeping Frederic amongst them...Starring Jon English, Simon Gallaher and Toni Lamond, this delightful rollicking story includes some of Gilbert & Sullivan's most famous tunes, including "I am a Pirate King" and "(I Am The Very Model Of) A Modern Major General."
"Fast.spectacular.a blaze of action" The Bulletin
"Inspired.fiercely energetic.splendid" Sydney Morning Herald
Jon English The Pirate King; Marc James Samuel, his Lieutenant; Simon Gallaher Frederic; Toni Lamond Ruth, a Pirate Maid; The Fabulous Singlettes Major-General Stanley's Daughters; Helen Donaldson Mabel; Derek Metzger Major-General Stanley; Tim Tyler The Sergeant. Also starring David Coombs, Robert Dale, Michael Flazon, Marc James, Gary Jones, David Lowe, Emma Powell, Peter Rees, David Scotchford, Jason Smith, Anthony Weigh, Lachlan Youngberg, Jenny Wilson Ensemble.
Recorded live at the Lyric Theatre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Australia, November 5, 1994.
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