REVIEW: THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE at Wilton's Music Hall until 23 November

Photos: Mark Senior

‘A gloriously joyful affirmation of everything that’s enjoyable about theatre’ ★★★★ ½ 

This is the third time I’ve seen this show and, like fine wine, it just goes on getting better despite only one cast member (David McKecknie) having done it before. As in Shakespeare’s plays, the material in Gilbert and Sullivan operas is so strong that it bounces back whatever you do it – as Sasha Regan understands better, almost than anyone. Goodness knows what WS Gilbert, known for intractable preciousness, would have thought of an all male cast but for 2024 it’s a gloriously joyful affirmation of everything that’s enjoyable about theatre.

The opening white clad male chorus suggests a Victorian gymnasium and is very muscular. Lizzi Gee’s choreography is one of this production’s great strengths as the cast leap about and form arresting tableaux. From this, the principals emerge: Robert Wilkes as Ruth, the 47 year old maid of all work, in the first instance. Wilkes makes her very funny, pegging out washing with incongruous asides as she explains in song how Frederic (Cameron McAllister) came to be an apprentice pirate but there’s rich pathos there too. When we get to the Major General’s daughter’s daring to paddle on the beach the cast are simpering, fainting, grinning, enjoying innuendoes and never still which is one of the many things which makes this show so electrifying. Eventually the posse of daughters is reduced to a plausible five including delicious Mabel (Luke Garner-Greene, good in his first professional job.)

In the middle of The Pirates Penzance there’s a magical moment when Gilbert gives in to Sullivan, who was famous for his church music among other things, and allows him a short, unaccompanied anthem. The words of “Hail Poetry” are ridiculous but the music is glorious harmony. Some misguided directors try to create gratuitous comedy out of this but Regan is too wise for that. She has the whole cast turn forwards like a choir and sing it standing absolutely still while, Giannis Giannopoulos (MD who accompanies excellently from piano throughout) conducts. And they sing it superbly. Hurrah. 

Tom Newland gives us an engaging and attractive Pirate King but he’s young for the role and there isn’t (yet?) enough bass timbre in his voice although he hits every note. Lewis Kennedy is splendid as the Chief of Police – a gift of a part – although it’s not easy to make it feel original given how well “A Policeman’s Lot is Not a Happy One” is known. There’s a lovely double chorus, too, when the policemen are singing from the stage right aisle next to the audience which makes it feel nicely immersive, 

In some ways though, it’s the ensemble work which makes this show zing. I often comment on slickness but this lot take it to another level. And watch out for Boaz Chad who drew my attention every moment he was on stage with his evocative body work and talkative eyes.

Regan De Wynter Williams Productions present

a new production of Sasha Regan’s

THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE at Wilton's Music Hall

Tuesday 29 October to Saturday 23 November

Box Office https://wiltons.org.uk/whats-on/the-pirates-of-penzance-autumn24/ 

Director Sasha Regan

Cameron McAllister (Frederic). Recent West End credits include Back to the Future (Ensemble/cover George McFly). Love Never Dies, Asian Tour (Ensemble/cover Raoul).

Luke Garner-Greene (Mabel). A recent graduate of Mountview, making their professional stage debut. Roles in training include Charley Kringas in Merrily We Roll Along.

Lewis Kennedy (Sergeant of Police). He returns to Wilton’s Music Hall and the company after playing the title role in Sasha Regan’s All-Male The Mikado in 2023.

David McKechnie (Major General). Recent credits include Standing At The Sky’s Edge (Sheffield Crucible/National Theatre/Gillian Lynne Theatre), Flowers For Mrs Harris (Riverside), HMS Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado (Sasha Regan productions)

Tom Newland (Pirate King). A rcecent graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, making his professional stage debut. Roles during training include The Baker in Into The Woods and Charles Guiteau in Assassins.

Robert Wilkes (Ruth). Recent roles include Gus and covered and played Old Deuteronomy in Cats, Chitty Chitty Bank Bang (West Yorkshire Playhouse/UK tour).

with Thomas Griffths (as Samuel), Joe Henry, Kirwan Kaanan, Thomas Alsop Aaron Dean (as Sisters)

and an ensemble featuring Joshua Molyneux, Patrick Cook, Samuel John Taylor, Alfie French, Boaz Chad, Davo Storey.

Creative team: Director Sasha Regan, Designer Robyn Wilson Owen, Choreographer Lizzi Gee, Lighting Designer Ben Bull, Musical Director Ioannis Giannopoulos, Musical Supervisor Richard Baker, Associate Choreographer Lee Greenaway, Casting Adam Brahm, Producers Regan De Wynter Williams.