The Pirates of Penzance(1983) directed by
Wilford Leach, starring
Kevin Kline,
Angela Lansbury, and
Linda Ronstadt.
An excellent production of the
Gilbert and Sullivan operetta
The Pirates of Penzance or the Slave of Duty. Written and first performed in the nineteenth century, it is full of both
sarcasm and
irony. The actors seem to be aware of their strange habit of breaking into song. Says the Pirate King in surprise to a crewmember as they begin the
I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major-General song: "It's the same as the
Pirate King Tune!"
I have seen two live productions (
Arizona State University and
London Regent's Park Outdoor Theater) of this operetta--this
VHS production is equal, if not better, in humor, talent, costume and general ridiculousness.
Not your common
musical or
opera, and cannot really be grouped with either. Highly recommended.
I should note, however, (thanks to Sondheim for pointing this out) that this VHS production, along with many of the current live productions, is an "updated" version of the original operetta. Its humor is less subtle, some musical numbers are missing (some are added, for that matter), and it is in a different tone from traditional
Gilbert and Sullivan. I think it is an excellent transition for those who are intimidated by the word "operetta" or for children who may not catch the subtle humor in a more traditional version.