The orchestral playing is very robust and the conducting keeps the pace impeccably, the omission of the Overture is a disappointment but not enough to hamper the performance hugely. The staging is full of crisp energy with never a dull moment, many times without feeling too overdone it is continually moving. In terms of costumes and sets it is a very colourful and creative production visually, and while there are too many close-ups of Anthony Warlow the video directing captures the action very well. This Pirates of Penzance is one of the better ones I've seen, no surprises considering it is from Opera Australia, responsible for the best Trial By Jury on DVD and equally enormously enjoyable productions of HMS Pinafore, Patience and The Gondoliers. The story may be somewhat silly, but the humour is infectiously witty and the music is amazing. Pirates of Penzance is my personal favourite Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, though I have a big soft spot for them all.
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