The Pirate Queen

There's a production of B&S's Pirate Queen up in Manchester this week, given a spectacular production with about 50 people on stage. It is a youth production, so expect a few ropey beards and heavy make-up but heck, the singing is amazing, and dozens of them doing irish dancing as if they'd been doing it a lifetime. The dancing was tremendous, the sword fighting less so. But the achievement of the youth company is to be applauded. as for the piece itself, expecting it to sound different from B&S's other shows is a bit like expecting Gilbert and Sullivan to have changed their successful formula. But is a flawed piece with some amazing scenes. The flaw I think lies in the presentation of  the English....everyone at the English court is an easily manipulated buffoon mostly with tiddly pom music, and unfortunately, in spite of a brilliant performance last night by the actress, the Queen is presented as a shrill temperamental diva. The eventual scene between her and O'Malley, in silent silhouette was effective. There some great songs, and set pieces, maybe one huge celebration scene too many, but the emotional journeys are a bit confusing. If you are in Manchester, and are a completist, go see this bold enthusiastic company, and enjoy some tremendous singing and dancing. The history though, I suspect, is a little narrow and convenient.

Oh it's at the Z-Arts centre.