The latest production of the Gilbert and Sullivan light opera, "The Pirates of Penzance", by the Marton Parish Church Choral and Operatic Society started upon its five-nights run last night at the Marton Parish Hall.
Its delightful whimsicality and dainty and melodious music were a source of pleasure to a fairly large audience.
The producer, Mr Sidney King, an old Savoyard, has again achieved a big success.
The company is restricted to a comparitively small stage, but they triumphed over this difficulty, and gave an enjoyable and impressive performance.
Mr W Hogarth is directing the opera, and it is evident that a great deal of care has been expended in preparing both principals and chorus.
He has the assistance of Mr A C Bitelli as the leader of the orchestra, while the pianoforte accompanists are Miss R Nelson and Miss K Watts.
The scenery, again by Mr A Howarth, and the lighting effects, contribute considerably to the success of the production - that and the music of the second act, in particular.
Delightful picture
The Gothic arches of the ruined chapel, beneath which the Major-General sits in his dressing-gown in the moonlight, muttering over his ancestors and his escutcheon, make a delightful picture.
The joyous "Paradox" trio, the exquisite duet for Mabel and Frederic, the Major-General's ballad ("Sighing Softly") and its choral refrain, the drollery of the choral entry of the Pirates ("With Cat-like Tread"), the Sergeant's song and Policemen's Chorus - these are a few of the rich moments in which this perfect act abounds.
In the first act, depicting a rocky seashore in Cornwall, the famous and all too short choral apostrophe sung by the whole company, and hailing poetry as a "divine emollient", might have been written by Mozart.
Then we have the Major-General's celebrated patter song, and Mabel's song, "Poor Wandering One", providing the singer with a fine opportunity for brilliant vocalisation.   All these left a vivid impression upon us.
The solemnity of the police, the skittish behaviour of Ruth, the maid-of-all-work, the Pirates who turn out to be noblemen who have gone wrong, and the Major-General who thereupon offers his daughters as brides all add laughter to this merry farce.
The Principals
Excellent work is done by the principals.
Cyril Berry gives a delightful performance as the Major-General, and Fowler Wade, as the head of the Pirates, takes his "profession" quite seriously.
The General's eldest daughter is well played and sung by Jennifer North, and Peggy Cardwell is well cast as Ruth, the maid.
Jack Spenser's portrayal of Frederic the Pirate apprentice, is most effective; so, too, is the Sergeant of Police as played by Harold Holden and the Pirate King's lieutenant, by Norman Andrew.
Ruby Hill, Mabel Oldfield, and Audrey Ambler, as the General's other daughters, sung and played their parts well.
The Chorus
The Chorus work, a feature as usual, is capitally undertaken by...[the article concludes with a list of choristers, officials and helpers]