Pirates of Penzance - April 2010



Words by WS Gilbert
Music by Sir Arthur Sullivan
Adapted and updated by Simon Gallaher
Under license from Stagescripts Ltd

PROCUCER/DIRECTOR: Andy Poulton
MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Mike Cotton
CHOREOGRAPHERS: Laura Canadine & Meg Dowen

CAST LIST
THE PIRATE KING
Alf Rai
SAMUEL
Matthew Cotton
FREDERIC
Rob Dixon
RUTH
Colette Edwards
MAJOR-GENERAL STANLEY
John Wiley
MABEL
Charlotte Wood
EDITH
Mary Mark
ISABEL
Claudia Gilmour
KATE
Sam King
THE SERGEANT
Mark Friedl
DAUGHTERS OF MAJOR-GENERAL
Charlotte Poulton, Megan Rai & Grace Bradshaw

PIRATES, POLICE & CHORUS

John Arnold, Arthur Bate, Kay Corbett, Chris Dowen, Phillip Field,Sam Gorman, Angela Holmes, Emily Holmes, Colin Hunt, Barbara King,Rob Lehmann, Jamie Mark, Beth North, Abbie Rai, Jenni Rullan, Anthea Smith, Emily Smith, Katie Smith, Grace Taylor, Kelly Turner, Lisa Turner

NON ACTING MEMBERS

Brenda Arnold, Peter Arnold, Emma Bond, Dorothy Copson, Terry Corbett, Val Goodfellow, Jill Hodgkins, Sidney Hodgkins, Christine Hunt, Trevor Law, Alan Merrick, Betty Merrick, Alan Pooler, Andy Poulton, Tamason Poulton, Pat Small, Bryan Smith, Eileen Southall, Chris Spittle, Ann Stokes, Roger Stokes, Luke Swatman, Brian White, Wendy White
SHOW SYNOPSIS

The story begins as Frederic, a young man with an unswerving sense of duty, is about to reach his 21st birthday and conclude his long apprenticeship to the infamous Pirates of Penzance. His good-hearted but hard of hearing nursemaid Ruth reveals that she has made a most disastrous mistake. When Frederic was just a boy she misunderstood her employer's directive and apprenticed him to a ‘pirate’ instead of a ‘pilot’, as intended.

Frederic tells the Pirate King (a dashing figure who never preys on orphans since he himself has had the misfortune to be one) that his freedom will be devoted to exterminating all pirates and that it would be better for the pirates to leave before midnight when his indentures are over. The pirates depart immediately and Frederic is left alone with Ruth, the only woman he has seen in years. Ruth pleads with Frederic to take her with him, but her case is lost when a bevy of very young, attractive women appear.

Frederic appeals to the girls to overlook his pirate apparel and his past profession, but no one will listen until the beautiful Mabel appears. Frederic and Mabel fall in love instantly. The pirates return and Mabel warns them that their actions will not go unpunished since her father, the guardian of all of these young ladies, holds the exalted rank of Major-General. The Major-General is forced to pretend that he is also an orphan in order to win their sympathy. Although he fools the Pirate King, the Major-General cannot rest easy with his troubled conscience.

Meanwhile, Frederic is launching an attack on the pirates with the cowardly assistance of the police. But Ruth and the Pirate King interrupt him with a most ingenious paradox - Frederic was born in leap year on the 29th of February and, in terms of actual birthdays, is only 5 instead of 21. Frederic, slave of duty that he is, rejoins his former associates, and the police are left to attack the pirates on their own.

The Pirates seize the Major-General and the police are quickly defeated. But the Sergeant of Police charges them to yield 'in Queen Victoria's name' and the pirates cannot resist this overpowering appeal.

Ruth then reveals that the pirates are actually 'noblemen who have gone wrong'. Mabel and Frederic are happily united forever with the unqualified blessings of the Major-General.
THE PIRATE KING - Alf Rai
Alf is delighted to be playing the role of the Pirate King after playing Luther Billis in last year’s production of ‘South Pacific’. He has thoroughly enjoyed rehearsing for this challenging role over the past six months. Alf is also a member of Bilston Operatic Company, South Staffs MTC and Harlequin Pantos and roles to date include: Bill Bumpkin ‘Mother Goose’, Luther Billis ‘South Pacific’, Genie of the Lamp ‘Aladdin’, Ali Hakim ‘Oklahoma’, Melvin P Thorpe ‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’, Nicely Nicely Johnson ‘Guys & Dolls’, Gangster ‘Kiss Me Kate’, Captain Smollett ‘Treasure Island’. Again this year is a family affair as Alf’s daughters; Megan and Abbie have joined him on stage and he would like to wish them and all the cast, good luck for the show. He would also like to thank his wife Nikki for her support.

SAMUEL - Matthew Cotton
This is Matts first apperance on stage with Willenhall Operatic Society and he is very much looking forward to the show. He would like to thank all the members of the Society for their warm welcome and encouragement. Matt has previously appeared in ‘West Side Story’, Jean-Val Jean in ‘Les Miserables’, Pirate King in ‘Pirates of Penzance’, Bill Crocker in ‘Anything Goes’, Pooh-Bah in ‘The Mikado’ and Florian in ‘Princess Ida’. Matt also sings in a vocal group ‘Tantallon’ and plays tenor saxophone in the RC Show Band.

FREDERIC - Rob Dixon
This is Rob's second year with Willenhall Operatic Society after playing a couple of minor roles in last years South Pacific. This year he is playing his first major principal role as Fredrick the naive yet duty bound Pirate apprentice. Rob is also part of Kinver Light Operatic Society having sung and danced in this year’s Pantomime Aladdin. During his Music A level course, Rob performed Solo and ensemble on the Flute, keyboard, and in singing. He'd like to wish the company all the best this week and would like to thank them for their support.

RUTH - Colette Edwards
Colette has been a performer with local societies for many years. With a wealth of experience behind her she has been for the last three years the Producer/Choreographer for Willenhall Operatic Society for their last three main productions and concerts. Colette chose to stand down after three successful years and we thank her for all her hard work and commitment. Colette has taken many lead roles, far too many to mention and is thrilled to be back on stage playing Ruth for this year’s production. This is a big year for Colette with her forthcoming Marriage to Stuart Forsyth and her exciting new ventures yet to be announced.

MAJOR-GENERAL STANLEY - John Wiley
John joined Willenhall Operatic in 1985 for Finians Rainbow playing the role of Mr Purchase and has since played many minor and principal roles, some favourites being Nathan Detroit ‘Guys & Dolls’, Nicholas Wainwright ’Charlie Girl’ and Donald S Marshal ‘Irene’. He started acting at the age of 15 when he was a founder member of Emmanuell Comedy and has played parts in Drama Comedy, Farce Classics and Shakespeare. Last October he played one of his favourite parts in a comedy when he played Frank in Alan Ayckbourn's ‘How The Other Half Love’ with Goldthorne Theatre Company. John is really looking forward to Pirates and would like to thank his son Andrew for putting up with him for the last 5 months!

MABEL - Charlotte Wood
This is Charlotte’s first show with Willenhall and she is delighted to be playing the role of Mabel again, after having first played the role with Stourbridge Amateur Operatic Society in their ‘Broadway Version’ of ‘Pirates of Penzance’ in 2008. Charlotte has been actively involved in amateur dramatics for the past nine years and she is also a member of Kinver Light Operatic Society. Her favourite roles to date include Eliza Doolittle in ‘My Fair Lady’, Nancy in ‘Oliver’, Hope Harcourt in ‘Anything Goes’, and Ado Annie in ‘Oklahoma’. Charlotte would like to thank everyone for making her feel so welcome and hopes everyone has an enjoyable week.

EDITH - Mary Mark
This is Mary’s third year with the Society and she is delighted to be playing the role of Edith. Mary has a BA Hons degree in performing arts and has been performing since the age of four with companies including Nottingham Operatic Society, Nottingham Arts Theatre & Rainbow Pantomimes. Roles include, Dulcie in ‘The Boyfriend’, Prince Charming in ‘Cinderella’, Chiffon in ‘Little Shop of Horrors’, Blousy Brown in ‘Bugsy Malone’, Bloody Mary in ‘South Pacific’ and Princess Angelina in ‘Puss in Boots’. Mary would like to wish everyone the best of luck and hopes you enjoy the show.

ISABEL - Claudia Gilmour
This is Claudia’s first show with Willenhall Operatic Society, and she is very excited to be part of this company. She has thoroughly enjoyed every rehearsal with the company, and so would like to thank everyone for making her feel so welcome. Claudia has been dancing since a very young age, and began to have singing lessons around 4 years ago. She has A levels in Music, Theatre Studies and Geography, and grade 8 in Musical Theatre. She has also studied Musical Theatre for a short period of time at Colchester Institute and The Arden Theatre School. Previous performances include: Anita in ‘West Side Story’, Lucy Harris in ‘Jekyll and Hyde’, Serena Katz in ‘Fame’, Cinderella in ‘Into The Woods’ and Polly Browne in ‘The Boyfriend’.

KATE - Sam King
Samantha first appeared on stage with Willenhall Operatic Society as a child in the production of ‘Blitz’ and at the age of 14 became a member for the production of ‘Irene’. Samantha has danced since the age of 3 and has performed in many shows with Willenhall as a member of the Dance Troupe. In 2001, she played the role of Peep-Bo in ‘Hot Mikado’ and last year took the lead role of Nellie Forbush in our production of ‘South Pacific’. Samantha is delighted to be playing her second principal role as “Kate”, and would like to wish everyone good luck for the show.

THE SERGEANT - Mark Friedl
This year Mark is celebrating 25 years with Willenhall Operatic Society and is delighted to have successfully auditioned for the role of the ‘Sergeant’ for this year’s show. Other roles to date include: Hortensio/Gremio ‘Kiss Me Kate’ with Willenhall Operatic and Bilston Operatic, The Governor in ‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’, Benny Southstreet in ‘Guys and Dolls’ and Cmdr Harbisson in ‘South Pacific’. His Son, Alex will also be coming to see him for the first time this year so he hopes that he will enjoy the show as much as Mark has enjoyed rehearsing for it.

DAUGHTERS OF MAJOR-GENERAL - Charlotte Poulton, Megan Rai & Grace Bradshaw