The Pirates of Penzance - In Concert at QPAC

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Thu 05 Dec 2024 - Sun 08 Dec 2024

It is, I daresay, a brave soul who dares approach Gilbert and Sullivan with the air of reinvention. We live in an age where the classics, those stalwart guardians of high culture, are so often subject to the cruel, wilful hand of contemporary reimagining - often with the hope of making them more “relevant,” “accessible,” or, I suspect, “marketable.”

And so it is with The Pirates of Penzance - a show that, like a beloved old friend, can feel almost immune to such reinventions. But here, in Brisbane's Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Prospero Arts has taken the daunting leap of presenting this venerable operetta in concert form. And I must confess, to my delighted surprise, that this approach offers a fresh and undeniably thrilling way to experience the musical masterpiece.



From the very first bar of the overture, with Isaac Haywood’s lush 23-piece orchestra filling the Concert Hall with its swirling, swashbuckling harmonies, it’s clear that this production is not interested in trimming the operetta down to the bare bones. No, this is The Pirates of Penzance in its essence — gorgeous, ornate, and unapologetically charming.

Director Stuart Maunder, no stranger to the delicate art of musical theatre, has curated a production that feels timeless yet energised. Maunder allows the text to breathe, pulling us into its infectious humour – how amazing the script from the 1870s was “laugh out loud funny” to the pre-teenagers sitting in front of me - all the while allowing the soaring orchestrations to carry the narrative forward in ways that are simply impossible in a traditionally staged production.



And then, of course, there are the performances - oh, the performances! The role of the Pirate King is, one might say, a piece of musical theatre confectionery - rich, flamboyant, and utterly irresistible. Ben Mingay is a revelation here. Known to television audiences in Packed to the Rafters and Sweeney Todd, Mingay brings an almost feral energy to the character, embracing the Pirate King’s swagger with exuberant relish. His rendition of "I am a Pirate King" could not have been better.



Equally compelling is Matthew Broadbent, who plays the sergeant with such a light touch and wry humour that it never feels overblown. In his hands, the Sergeant's lily-livered incompetence is not just funny, but endearing.



The truly striking element of this production, however, lies in the pairing of the luminous Nina Korbe and the charming Billy Bourchier as Mabel and Frederic. Korbe, an award-winning First Nations soprano, brings a shimmering purity to the role of Mabel, imbuing her with a blend of sweetness and resolve that makes “Poor Wandering One” not just a vocal showcase, but an emotional highlight. Bourchier, meanwhile, captures Frederic’s youthful naïveté with an infectious earnestness. The chemistry between the two is as palpable as it is delightful, and their duets are nothing short of enchanting.



Design-wise, Penny Challen’s costumes work well - very much in keeping with Victoriana – happily over-stated, and (in the case of the hopeful daughters) delightfully frothy. These meticulous touches, along with some clever use of lighting, allow us to maintain our sense of fantasy while never losing sight of the concert format.


Ultimately, the achievement of this production is its ability to transport us into the world of Gilbert and Sullivan without stripping the piece of its intrinsic magic. The in-concert style - some might argue a somewhat unusual approach to a musical of this ilk - renders the piece less as a work to be ‘watched’ and more as a glorious experience to be felt. The immediacy of the orchestra, the vocal dexterity of the cast, and the exuberant humour of the libretto combine to create a theatrical event that is impossible not to be swept up in.



Your aged reviewer was thrilled to see an audience with a very wide range of ages all engaged and enthralled, and showing it with wildly enthusiastic applause throughout.



In short, The Pirates of Penzance - In Concert is a triumph. It is a testament to the enduring appeal of Gilbert and Sullivan's work and to the boundless creativity of Brisbane’s Prospero Arts. Do yourself a favour, cross the Brisbane River (or, if you must, sail the seven seas), and experience a night of theatre that feels as fresh and delightful as the day it was written.

Arrr! And now, let’s all raise a glass to the pirates - and to Brisbane, for making this swashbuckling adventure a reality.

Photography : Joel Devereux
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