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Poole and Parkstone Musical Theatre Company The Lighthouse Poole June 2003  (although even this version is almost a quarter of a century old) without being unduly modernised.Fast and furious, with an up-tempo score, this is G&S for the twenty-first century, and it’s a real cracker that never stops fizzing, thanks to director/choreographer Mike Capri and musical director John Stringer, and the company does them proud.  There’s a fine principal line-up, led by a superb Alex Cook as a Pirate King straight out of the Errol Flynn mould. His unfortunate apprentice, Frederic, is  excellently played by Neil Maxfield, although I could definitely have done without his unnecessary mid-Atlantic twang, and Claire Smith is an impressive ‘piratical maid of all work’, Ruth.Nick Marsden’s Major General is delightfully daffy – perhaps that’s what comes of having so many daughters, particularly when they’re as feisty as Clare Albanozzo’s strong-voiced Mabel or as punk as the  scene-stealing Avis and Mavis (Bunny Stokes & Janice Northcott). And as for those rubber-limbed police, headed by Simon Quinton….  Chorus movement and singing is very impressive indeed, and the production also has plenty of innovative and highly amusing touches that, whilst they might upset a few purists, are the cherry on a gorgeous confection. Linda Kirkman 
Courtesy of the Bournemouth Daily Echo. The photographs are: Alex Cook as the Pirate King Neil Maxfield & Clare Albanozzo as Frederic & Mabel Bunny Stokes as Mavis The Police lead by Simon Quinton Claire Smith as Ruth |
