The Pirates of Penzance (full performance)

[@Ekene74]

My name Is Stanley and i played The Major General Stanley years back in the Music Society Of Nigeria Concert(Muson), Lagos, Nigeria. One of the proudest moments of my life.

[@victornkpaju2407]

Wait wah??? I'm Nigerian too, based in Lagos. muson has done this?!! 😮😮. I didn't know, I love this musical soooo much

[@bryannonya9769]

@@victornkpaju2407 wow two nigerians who arent trying to scam people by email with offers of riches.

[@victornkpaju2407]

@@bryannonya9769 I feel like you have a story🤔

[@stevenliniak3625]

I am saddened because most people on the planet don't even know how spectacular Gilbert and Sullivan lite are. I am 63 years old and have seen this many times live. I have seen numerous Broadway productions but, this play is my all time favorite!!!Thank all of you for posting a fantastic performance of a play that should be seen and appreciated by multiple generations!!!

[@Foale]

Hi Steven, I couldn't agree more. I will be performing as Frederic in Pirates of Penzance myself next Friday and Saturday and I could not be more excited...I'm confident it's even better than the one in this video! If you're anywhere near the area, I invite you to come along! I promise you an entertaining evening towngatetheatre.co.uk/pirates/

[@goatpie882]

What other shows of theirs would you recommend?

[@jamesmc1016]

It was 1966 and I was in the 6th grade. After trying out I was selected to play Frederic in our school play "Pirates of Penzance." I am 65 years old now but I remember the play and the songs like it was yesterday. To tell you the truth, I really forgot all about it until I came across this on youtube. As I watch this wonderful memories come back to me from long ago.

[@robbiehagberg3515]

Robbie Hagberg the Pirates Penzance is it with you guys today in 1746

[@averyvincent1868]

I played Major-General Stanley last year in "Pirates of Penzance." I even got to make up my own fourth verse: When asked to tell a joke I'll gladly add to the hilarity With encyclopedic mastery of satire and of parody In culinary settings I can make a tasty fricassee And decorate the petit fours with beautiful intricacy My fluency in Latin, Greek and German is beyond reproach I plan to study Japanese if I can find a proper coach Although I've scant experience in fighting battles glorious... When seated at a chessboard I shall always be victorious In singing patter songs I can display the pure audacity To improvise new lyrics with amazing perspicacity But still in matters vegetable, animal and mineral I am the very model of a modern Major-General!

[@popalopahop]

very good!

[@SqreakyAlex]

Good for you!

[@beiceth]

Well done

[@cciale]

thats really cool

[@robbiehagberg9878]

Robbiehagberg is the most powerful player in hope? Robbie was playing a part of baby that pirate

[@SatsukiVM]

Pete: "The Opera is tomorrow night!!!"

[@432leumas]

43:22 The Major-General song (for those who were only looking for that part)

[@andrewshakespeare4633]

Some forty years ago, my mother took me to watch The Pirates of Penzance, produced by the D'Oyly Carte Company, at the Saddlers Wells Theatre in London. I remember it well, because that was the night I fell in love with Gilbert & Sullivan. I couldn't even begin to count the number of times I've seen, read, heard and sung Pirates since then. It is with immense emotion, therefore, that, thanks to you and to KZbin, I am able to pass on her legacy, and introduce my girls to The Pirates of Penzance, one upon each thigh, thumbs in mouths, with an intensity they never display to any cartoon. Ella: "If a pirate ever wants to marry you, you just have to tell him you're an orphan, and he'll leave you alone." Seren: "They're not real polices. Because real polices are brave and never fear." Both: "NO! NO! THEY'RE NOT ALLOWED! Where's the police?????" Tonight, they went to bed singing, "Come, Men Who Plough the Sea." (video 1:30:00) I think, if I remember rightly, that's what I was singing in 1978, when my mother put me to bed, the night I fell in love with Gilbert and Sullivan. Sullivan, who never had children, once said that "I suppose posterity shall know as little of me as I have known of posterity." What a terribly sad assumption from one who would be astonished to learn that children of the twenty-first century were loving his work every bit as much as I did in the seventies. So thank you, thank you, thank you, to the producer, director, cast and crew, who combined to generate this blessed night for me and my lovely children Thank you.

[@justforever96]

40 years wasn't that long ago, and if it was still popular in 1978, long, long after it was written, why wouldn't it still be popular in 2018? Statistically, something is more likely to have fallen into a slump around 50 years, and be re-surging in popularity at 100. Also, if you try to hard to force your kids to like what you do, odds are they will hate it. If they end up liking it anyway, great, but it's usually best to just mildly expose them to it, and hope that eventually they will find it equally entertaining. Most often people start making their kids do what they love doing, and the kid starts resenting it....especially if they have people at school picking on them for it. It's hard to convince kids that it doesn't really matter what other kids say. Which is not to say you shouldn't bring them to GS, etc, just don't force them, and don't take it to hard if they stop being interested. My dad brought me to Sacred Harp singings when I was a kid; I barely remembered later, but I knew that I was very embarrassed when I was a teenager and I'd bring friends home to hear my dad listening to this embarrassing stuff cranked out loud on the stereo in the living room; terrible sound quality, weird stuff....but mostly I was worried what my friends would think. 15 years later I went on KZbin and looked Sacred Harp singing up out of curiosity...and I loved it. I was too busy worrying about my friends to actually stop and listen to any of it when I was 15. And of course, back then I _knew_ what "good music" was: classic rock, hip hop, punk, etc. I thought I was very cultural because I would listen to the 9th Symphony occasionally. I couldn't be bothered to actually _listen_ to a type of music before I judged it as "not cool" (although Sacred Harp certainly isn't for everyone. Or so I keep hearing.)

[@wanderingkernel5002]

Andrew Shakespeare Similar thing with me, my grandmother took me to see a performance of the Pirates of Penzance about a year and a half ago produced at a local theatre. It only had 5 people acting and a pianist, and they said they were surprised they made it to half way. But that was indeed the night I was memorised by Gilbert and Sullivan, and I am currently arranging a Gilbert and Sullivan "Overture" for my school orchestra to preform sometime, at least the conductor will be on my side, he likes Gilbert and Sullivan as well. But I do believe we are essentially the only 2 in the orchestra who knows of them. But fingers crossed.

[@kiss1and]

Andrew Shakespeare beautiful story!

[@MadMadamMadster]

In my freshman year in high school, I was cast as a schoolgirl in The Mikado. It was then that I was first exposed to Gilbert and Sullivan and fell in love with them almost instantly. I still love the Operettas produced by them and others. Every note is Genius and every sentence is a miracle. I am so thankful that they still have survived today. As a teen, I find it so sad that many of my schoolmates haven't heard of Gilbert and Sullivan, and am thankful that I was given an opportunity to perform such a wonderful and theatrical performance written by two genius men who arguably changed the game of Musical Theatre. I find it wonderful that you were exposed to this classic production in your youth.

[@cristobalgarces1675]

That song name you're thinking of is Cat Like Tread.

[@ThinkHEAVEN-YouTube]

Never seen a performance ANY BETTER!

[@charlesmungai4247]

I first watched the Pirate of Penzance in the Kenya National Theatre in 1966 when I was a young lad in Junior High School and instantly fell in love. I watched it in again in the year 1975 in the same place as an adult. I lost track of it thereafter until I discovered it in the U Tube and I can't tell how many times I've watched it. It's just fantastic.

[@dragonqueen7574]

I love. This Opera!😊🏴‍☠️👍

[@andro7862]

*I am the very model of a modern major general, the venerated virginian veteran whose men are all lining up to put me upon a pedestal writing letters to relatives embelishing my eloquence and elegance, but the truth is in your face when you hear the british cannons go BO-* oh wait...wrong fandom.

[@generalsherman5055]

Alexander Hamilton and bleeding stops but look

[@alejandroharriero9882]

God bless you because that wasthe reason why I clicked in the first place

[@drewacus8937]

@@alejandroharriero9882 ditto

[@Erikaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

Lin Manuel Miranda wrote that line because he disliked the way G&S did the rhyming in the actual song. It's legitimately hilarious to me that he thinks "The elephant is in the room, the truth is in your face when you hear the British cannon go boom" is better lyricism than "About binomial theorem I'm teeming with a lot o' news, with many cheerful facts about the square of the hypotenuse." If only he was half as talented as he is arrogant.

[@johnmcguire6699]

I just got cast as the pirate king!!!!

[@lyncunningham8255]

Very nice choreography and costumes. Well done Wesleyan.

[@EricPlambeck]

Maj. Stanley, it must be fun to be able to talk about things animal and mineral, both simple and quadratical. The major has such a wonderful part. I have early memories of this music. I love it so much.❤ This is the best recording that is true to form.

[@jonathangirgis7314]

Three years in spring after being cast as the pirate king it will be 20 years! Gave it up do something else at another school and still to this day I remember everything!!!! Had other awesome music opportunities but that in the top five stupidities of my life. Good job. G&S is still in my blood and always will be.

[@marcusblumkin7935]

Jonathan Girgis night n

[@LauraParuzynski]

35:04 start of poor wandering one

[@ProjectSeventy]

I regret to announce that the Major General deserves a court-martial, for the Union Flag, proudly waved at the end of 'Pray Observe the Magnanimity', is upside down.

[@jamestown8398]

Britain can't afford to lose him; his extensive knowledge of animal, vegetable, and mineral is without equal.

[@ericsearle2841]

Been in Pirates twice. Played in the orchestra first. Aged 13. And for most of the other G and S operettas. In the chorus or as a principle. My Three favourites being. The Gondoliers. The Yeoman of the guard. Then Pirates. But done Traditionally not turned into pantomime Frederick and Mabel outstanding. Major general to young and dreadful costume but sang very well his main solo. Strong ladies and gentlemens chorus. Loved Ruth could have again had a better costume. Excellent Orchestra. At 85 now retired from the theatre. 65yrs NODA. Medal and bar. Thank you for your performance reviving many happy memories. I

[@elijahshafer8956]

Out of curiosity, what company did you perform these with?

[@anna500ism]

My college is putting this on this spring. I am casted as Edith - also my first named role in a musical - so I am super hype to put this together.

[@luxmin6115]

This was my first musical, and this is how I got immersed into the world of Musical Theatre. This is a SERIOUSLY underrated musical.

[@pugh.joseph]

Technically, it's an "operetta" but it really feels like a musical. It is really good though!

[@calissaloomis9462]

My school is doing the production if this this year and I helped build all the sets and stuff it's been so fun. Also cat like tread is my all time favorite

[@bananadoctor]

"I am the very model of a modern major general." I love that song.

[@tabitharose6158]

I just found out I made the list to play the pirates of penzance!! I’m so hyped but nervous! 🥶🥵😬

[@jlyo1991]

Congrats! Just remember to act like you’ve rolled a nat 1 on your stealth roll and you’ll do fine.

[@peterward8630]

Try to remember the pleasure you and your cast gave and the warmth of their applause.

[@tabithafisher6462]

I got to play as Edith and I don’t think I will ever forget the experience!!! Even though we had many many COVID restrictions, we made the most of it and had a blast!!! I was surrounded by wonderful, kind people, who had beautiful singing talents and acting skills!! I can’t wait for next year, which means another musical! I might play in the pit next year, but Im sure that will be just as great!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@jacobmccain8794]

I’m playing Fredric right now

[@robbiehagberg3515]

Robbie Hagberg I know that you were going to be easier if you were trying my best friend David Johnson

[@philmcdonald4778]

Such good fun.

[@BrookeFeren]

Im in the show rn opening nights tomorrow

[@z0mbiepuppy840]

i'm in a production of this. i remember watching this a while ago, and I'm so happy to actually be in it now. I am a pirate ! The opening night is in two days !!!

[@charlesajones77]

I hope it went well. This is my favorite G&S operetta.

[@star9129]

We just had One Act Competition for region. My school placed 4th. The school that did this placed first.

[@lizzie41]

Bro im doing it for my spring musical this year im excited

[@CareyHAuthor]

We did this show in a youth theater group I was in in Jr high and i was student director. This brings back such wonderful memories!

[@issa.akwardblackgirl9203]

my school is doing this show in the fall...trying to learn as much as possible to get a role

[@tat3rs]

just learn major general in this style, its much better kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGLHqmdqn7tre68

[@charlesajones77]

How did it go?

[@TheThe1ange]

Fun. Musically brilliant.

[@jimcoote4217]

Angela Macari add more stuff to the comments

[@mbc3526]

My city ( because multiple schools are coming to be in it ) is have this play and I’m in it!

[@NathanHudsonforyou]

8 years later and I just realized this existed and needs to go in my makeup portfolio.

[@jaylambie6592]

It is unfortunate that none of these performers are credited.

[@maggieomick3438]

These actors have some amazing voices! I am auditioning for this show very soon.

[@DietArchitect]

Did you get a part?

[@lolliemoon8]

This guy can really sing!

[@layers5255]

Which?

[@richardbetton-foster3899]

Mabel's voice is magnificent

[@dm-b6496]

you know at first i thought wouldn't like opera but this was absolutely fantastic, everyone on that production was great

[@Ellenbowen1118]

Bravo

[@charlesajones77]

Gilbert and Sullivan is more akin to the modern day musical than it is to opera. Today musicals are commonplace, but back when this was written it was groundbreaking.

[@dankurth4232]

Charles Jones Gilbert and Sullivan in each of their operettas are more sensitive, funny, intelligent and humane than any of today’s overdone and quasi technical written and performed musicals

[@glenyscochran9287]

It is not opera rather operetta very different from grand opera!

[@charlesajones77]

Fun Fact: The first song the daughters sing (Climbing over rocky mountains) wasn't actually written for this play. It was part of their fist play, "Thespis". The story goes that when Pirates opened in New York, Sullivan discovered that they had left the score for the entire first act behind in London. Sullivan was able to rewrite most of it from memory. But not the song that was suppose to go here. Unfortunately, no known copies of Thespis still exist, so all that's left of it is this one song.

[@oliverbrownlow5615]

Some suspect he raided *Thespis* to set "Climbing Over Rocky Mountain" in the first place, and told the ship-board story to excuse it. I don't doubt the veracity of Sullivan's claim, but if it's true, where's the original setting? Could the answer be, recycled into another G&S score?

[@MarissaBrigitte]

I’m hopeful going to be it this in the spring!

[@necto8265]

Nice play!

[@dayateaparty4047]

This is the first rendition of this musical that I’ve watched and that was absolutley amazing! I loved every second of that!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@knine3811]

you should see the one I believe is best, the 1986 version with Kevin Kline, Linda Ronstadt and Angela Landsberry. Spectactuler!!!

[@avanithiara9084]

My production week for pirates of Penzance is this week and I’m so nervous but this video really hyped me up and gave me an idea of how to prepare for the opening night (I’m one of the daughters)

[@jimcoote4217]

Love it I'm doing the play at drama club

[@karkat6480]

Jim Coote me too

[@adriannalanae2373]

I'm doing this operetta for my school, I'm a daughter. This really helped show me how I should act and I will try my best to be the best :)

[@justforever96]

Most people are sons or daughters. It does work that way. ;)

[@alecjones4135]

@@justforever96 that's the role she played you dumb dumb

[@amandaherman7051]

My favourite song is all hall poetry

[@oliverbrownlow5615]

You might be interested to know that there was originally a reprise of this music in act two, just after the Major-General sings, " ...with all our faults, we love our House of Peers." The whole company then sang, "Hail, noblemen! Our House of Peers! / To wisdom which mankind reveres / We listen with respectful ears, / For, oh! For, oh! We love our House of Peers!" (This is called "The Hymn to the Nobility." It can be restored to the score by inserting the music from "Hail, Poetry" at this point, and I've seen it done in at least two productions. It's quite simple, because it's just a three-note intro played by the orchestra, then the "Hymn" itself is a capella, like "Poetry," but -- *this is important* -- you have to *transpose the music up one half-step* to match the key of the act two lead-in.)

[@elenaprodromou6658]

just got cast as the pirate king, watching this before my second rehearsal. i have no idea what any of the songs are but hopefully this can give me a primer.

[@graceboxer2103]

what a beautifully tuneful voice Mabel has

[@rmuna1]

Frederick is amazing too!

[@andrewshakespeare4633]

It's rare that any soprano can hit that top note. They generally skip it. It was a good performance. But hitting that top note, that even professionals often avoid, is the frosting on the cake?

[@coloraturaElise]

@@andrewshakespeare4633 It's not that rare...it's only a high Eb. All coloraturas have that note, and many lyrics do, as well. Her voice is very well-produced and resonant, however...she is much better than any one note, although her Eb is excellent! The tenor is not in the same class, vocally; he has a pleasant, light, musical theater voice, as does most of the rest of the cast. The Mabel is the only real voice of substance.

[@Porn05Mouth]

@@andrewshakespeare4633 What are you on about?? Literally thousands of sopranos have an E6.

[@Porn05Mouth]

@@coloraturaElise Agree with all of this, and even though her tone is pleasant, she’s not very musical at all.

[@loisraymcinnis6006]

THIS IS ALL NEW TO ME.

[@soraphantomlover]

The moment I realized that was Stede Bonnet's flag they were waving I got so excited 😂

[@Raghhhhhhg]

Just to found out I’m gonna be in this, thought I might as well watch it

[@jorgemt62]

I was surprised by how slowly there were playing. I thought maybe they weren't so proficient, being a university orchestra. Then I realized I had KZbin set at 0.75 speed. Sorry! Thanks for the post.

[@joelalex8087]

Great job! I really enjoyed it.

[@jonathangirgis7314]

Apart from the ad lib it was pretty good and a full orchestra for a college really was great can't wait to see them later in life!

[@michaelcalopedis7070]

I need to do this play for my school

[@abush2387]

I’m doing this for my school drama club

[@ebayseller-tugten]

Cabin Boy the Musical, Summer 2019, next great musical!

[@jaedonbasket]

I JUST GOT CASTED AS FREDRICK OMG 😩😩😩

[@jaskierdraven9191]

My school is doing this we just preformed our first live show today though comparing then ours is faster especially at the major generals part and i find that a bit odd...but i still enjoy it. Also our actors dont do an accent...

[@aucourant9998]

This was a very good production.

[@gettingkilt]

47:26 is the Often / Orphan bit

[@justforever96]

Apparently part of the joke that many Americans miss is that "Penzance" is in England, the very southernmost tip of the island. The whole notion of there being a pack of pirates living there is humorous.

[@NewMusicWeekly]

Penzance is the closest spot in Britain to the US, where Gilbert's real (copyright) pirates lived.

[@Tocsin-Bang]

Obviously you know little about UK history, there were many pirates who sailed from the UK.

[@dankurth4232]

NewMusicWeekly 🌊🇺🇸😉

[@dankurth4232]

Stephen Cook Hardly from the UK! Rather England

[@brianf5143]

@@dankurth4232 Not only from England. One of the most famous pirates was Henry Morgan, who was Welsh. Never tell a Welshman that he's English (unless you want a fight)!

[@charlesajones77]

Damn, the girl playing Mabel can really sing!

[@dankurth4232]

Charles Jones Yep!

[@aaronanddakotastoyshow8606]

I'm doing this musical and I play Samuel

[@danielmoses6626]

I've never seen surtitles used in a G&S production before. Is it just used for the sung portions?

[@indianawesleyanuniversityd5333]

Thanks for your comment and for watching! In our Indiana Wesleyan University opera/operetta productions, we have found it to be very helpful to include surtitles for our audience even when the production is in English. This allows our audience members to fully enjoy the show without fear of losing any portion of the plot or text, especially when the music has 2-4 different texts occurring simultaneously, as is often the case. We do, however, still HIGHLY challenge great diction…but especially for any elderly folk (grandparents, etc.) in the audience, we have found them so appreciative that we include them. To answer the other half of your question, we only use the titles for the sung portions of the show. Hope that helps! Thanks again for watching! Dr. Keith Brautigam Professor of Voice and Opera

[@andrewjdaniels7087]

Congratulations. A beautifully performed account of a wonderful work. Well done too, from a Briton, for producing such excellent British accents.

[@asamx23]

veratas

[@abhishalkochhal272]

I am doing this play in front 600 people tomorrow

[@eebolt8883]

uh i wish you luck?

[@flynn2813]

BTW i got no idea what the company is

[@spacewarpphotography1667]

Excellent! Very well done! I especially liked the subtitles (supertitles?), since even clear words are harder to understand sung. 5/5. (I will give my standard criticism, though. This makes six productions I've seen, and not one has had an accurate prop for the dark lantern. A dark lantern has flaps down the sides and a special opening for the smoke, so that a candle can be lit but light only escapes when one or more flaps are raised. In other words, it's ideal for thieving. But as I say, no production yet.)

[@eltodesukane]

Which subtitles?

[@oliverbrownlow5615]

Good nit-picky detail to know.

[@robbiehagberg3515]

Robbie Hagberg I think you should have listened with me please thanks so much I will be eating a few days so I can go to the store and get it done before you go home ❤️❤️ I can come by when you get 3

[@dudebro3852]

Trying to figure out how I'm going to make my accent sound when I play Kate for school in April 😅

[@glenyscochran9287]

Don’t even attempt a British accent! Your accent is just fine and many who have tried to do a British accent usually sound terrible. Brits excel at accents but Americans do need about two years speech therapy to do any foreign accent.

[@mikegiblin1559]

Could the echo effect be worse?

[@DCDummer]

Mabel’s voice here is next level

[@jaelynnkeating9020]

which daughter is isabel? i just got cast as her and i cannot find any information on her.

[@Helene.Actor5678]

Hey Just got casted as Isabel. Since u were her awhile ago...can u help me out? Im debating if its Worth it cuz i heard she doesnt really have much to say at all.

[@charlesajones77]

I bet I've seen Pirates of Penzance at least 20 times. I consider this to be G&S's best operetta, though The Mikado and Iolanthe come close.

[@lizardlenny]

48:21 Pirate got left hanging.

[@meg7420]

re-watching again preparing for opening night where im kate!

[@andrewwrobel2255]

Quite a good production, but it needs to be played at 1.25.

[@jakewhittle444]

Sat

[@ARCtheCartoonMaster]

48:10 Roll credits! *ding*

[@riley__vr1881]

heyo im in 8c

[@emmarose4234]

I’m wondering if any real-life February 29 babies have been named Frederic after the hapless hero. That would almost be perfect. If any were born on February 29, 1940, it would be perfect.

[@Giby86]

Great performance but it must be said: he looks just like Tom Paris. It's eerie.

[@michaeljordan5630]

Who here from mickey and the three musketeers

[@sagahammer]

Fairly good performances all round. Very good orchestra. But why do Americans have to make that hideous whooping noise instead of clapping and cheering?

[@hichampiggy9795]

Disney's three musketeers brought me here

[@juanandresvides2749]

Fun fact: Despite the movie being set in the 18th century, this opera was first performed in the late 19th century (then again, this movie has MANY more historical liberties)

[@SuperErmacX]

Rubio The Cruel brought me here.

[@trinitymplayers]

Although I know it's traditional for Ruth to pair with the police sergeant, I think she should pair with the general instead.

[@averagebloke9131]

i have to watch this for schhoool smh

[@flynn2813]

Whos here from 8c Lol

[@ColonelMarcellus]

And then someone came up with that damned "Pirate Movie" and spoiled the whole thing.

[@aaronanddakotastoyshow8606]

Dut-eh XD

[@tokyoghoul8114]

Family Guy

[@creamcheese3596]

This is far too slow to be a patter song.

[@stillayl]

Let's see how many people are brought here because of Despicable Me 3!:)

[@luxmin6115]

stillayl what?

[@nathanwang1515]

Luxmi N In despicable me 3, the minions sung a parody of modern major general.

[@johnd6487]

Actually, I’m here from the EMI audio recording of a ‘Hinge and Bracket’ concert, where they perform their version of Poor Wand’ring One (amongst others)