THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE

THE SLAVE OF DUTY

William Gilbert's book reworked by Graham Boxall
Arthur Sullivan's music arranged and re-composed by
John Roger Walton

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INTRODUCTION

This version of The Pirates of Penzance was initially conceptualized by husband and wife directing team Graham and Kyla Boxall. Graham and Kyla have been long-time members of the Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan society with a wealth of experience in all facets of production and performance and were thus invited to direct the 1999 production. Feeling that they wanted to popularize the G & S repertoire they called John Walton of Symphonic Pops (also currently managing director of The Cape Town Symphony Orchestra) to re-score Pirates in a variety of contemporary styles, with the particular aim of reaching a new audience - thus expanding the G & S circle.

A number of meetings ensued (surprisingly few, in fact) in which the ideas crystallized and this version born. Kyla, Graham and John developed an instant rapport and the ideas flowed freely - Frederic was typecast as a quasi Freddy Mercury / Elvis "rock" character, Mabel as a pop star heroine, Ruth as a Cabaret artist, the Pirates as "rockers" and the Police as bumbling reggae singers, etc... The chorus landed up almost having an identity crisis seeing that from item to item the genre changed so much, but they survived (only just!).

John arranged the music for a small ensemble: Violin, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone, Keyboard, Guitar, Bass, Drums/Percussion. John's wife eventually packed him off up the coast to get him out of her hair - he gets impossible when he's writing, and the score became a reality! Some of Cape Town's top musicians were employed and the show premiered at the Baxter theatre in August 1999 and ran for a couple of weeks.

It is just as well that Graham and Kyla work together so well, for at the 11th hour the actor playing the role of the Pirate King became unavailable, and Graham stepped in and did a wonderful job - and Kyla took over the role of Director!

There was a wonderful cast, chorus and backup crew - and the Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan society can be proud of themselves for having new vision and delivering a wonderful production to the public.

Enjoy this slightly irreverent romp through Penzance.

The show opens with a pub scene at night with an extended mimed prologue...

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ

MAJOR-GENERAL STANLEY

THE PIRATE KING

SAMUEL (his Lieutenant)

FREDERIC (the Pirate Apprentice)

JAMES (Cabin Boy)

SERGEANT OF POLICE

General Stanley's Daughters

MABEL

EDITH

KATE

ISABEL

RUTH (a Pirate Maid of all Work)

Chorus of Pirates, Police, Convent Sisters and General Stanley's Daughters

ACT I
A rocky sea-shore on the coast of Cornwall
ACT II
A ruined chapel by moonlight

This version of The Pirates of Penzance has been made available by the composer, John Roger Walton, who also sequenced the MIDI files.

THE OPERA MIDI FILES

ACT I

Overture and No. 1, " Pour, O Pour the Pirate Sherry" Sung by Samuel, James and the Pirates.

» Dialogue 1

No. 2, " When Frederic Was a Little Lad" Sung by Ruth.

» Dialogue 2

No. 3, " Oh, Better Far to Live and Die" Sung by the Pirate King and Pirates.

» Dialogue 3

No. 4, " Oh, False One, You Have Deceived Me" Sung by Frederic and Ruth.
No. 5, " Climbing Over Rocky Mountain" Sung by Edith, Kate, and the Girls, and No. 6, "Stop, Ladies, Pray!" Sung by Frederic, Edith, Kate, and Girls.
No. 7, " Oh, Is There Not One Maiden Breast" Sung by Frederic, Mabel, and Girls, and No. 8, "Poor Wandering One!" Sung by Mabel and Girls.
No. 9, " What Ought We To Do" Sung by Edith, Kate, and Girls, and No. 10, "How Beautifully Blue The Sky" Sung by Frederic, Mabel, and Girls.
No. 11, " Stay, We Must Not Lose Our Senses" Sung by Frederic, Girls, and Pirates.
No. 12, " Hold, Monsters!" Sung by Mabel, Samuel, Major-General, Girls and Pirates.
No. 13, " I Am The Very Model of a Modern Major-General" Sung by Major-General, Girls and Pirates.

» Dialogue 4

No. 14, " Oh, Men of Dark and Dismal Fate"(Finale of Act I)

ACT II

No. 15, " Oh, Dry The Glistening Tear" Sung by Mabel and Girls.

» Dialogue 5

No's. 16 and 17, " Then, Frederic, Let You Escort Lion Hearted" and "When the Foeman Bares His Steel"
No. 18, " Now for the Pirates Lair!" Sung by Frederic, Pirate King, and Ruth.
No. 19, " When You Had Left Our Pirate Fold" Sung by Frederic, Pirate King, and Ruth.

» Dialogue 6

No. 19a, " Here's a Howdy-do" Sung by Ruth, Pirate King, and Frederic.

» Dialogue 7

No. 20, " Away, Away! My Heart's on Fire" Sung by Ruth, Pirate King, and Frederic.
No's. 21 and 21, " All Is Prepared" and " Stay, Fred'ric, Stay!" Sung by Mabel and Frederic.
No. 22, " No, I'll Be Brave" Sung by Mabel, Sergeant and Chorus of Police.
No's. 23, " When A Felon's Not Engaged" Sung by Sergeant and Chorus of Police.
No's. 24 and 25, " A Rollicking Band" and "With Cat-like Tread" Sung by Sergeant, Chorus of Pirates and Police.
No's. 26, 27 and 28, " Hush, Hush!" and "Sighing Softly" and "Finale" Sung by Frederic, Pirate King, Major-General, Chorus of Pirates and Police.
No. 29, " Bows" Sung by whole cast