Top a' the mornin' to ya! How blow the fair seas? This week being Pirate Week I shall be talking about one of my favorite movie musicals... The Pirates of Penzance starring Kevin Kline, Angela Lansbury, Linda Ronstadt and Rex Smith!!!
But before we go there, let me take this rare opportunity to share my two pirate jokes that I have been waiting for just the right moment to share...
That moment is now!
Where did the pirate get his hook?
At the second hand store!
What is a pirate's favorite letter?
You'd think it's the Rrrr, but it's actually the C!!!
Ok, on to ze musical!
To be very honest, I could probably quote you the entire movie, songs and all, I have seen it so much! It is one of those comedies that is rather dumb at times, but the nostalgia, at least for me, make up for it!
The story opens with the 21st birthday of Frederick, a duty bound apprentice to the infamous Pirates of Penzance. At his party, Frederick announces that his duty dictates that he quit piracy and spend his life eradicating his former crew. Before you think "wow, that's rough" watch the below video!
So Frederick and Ruth leave the ship and are about to marry, when he spots through his looking glass a "bevy of beautiful young maidens!" He sends Ruth packing in one of my favorite songs "Oh False One, You Have Deceived Me!"
Next Frederick attempts to woo any of the maidens (who are all sisters) into Holy Matrimony and succeeds in gaining the affections of Mabel, the eldest. Before they can act upon their new-found love, the pirates appear, planning to carry off the rest of the daughters to be their wives! Frederick, ready to fight on behalf of his future sister-in-laws, is saved by his future father-in-law, General Stanley. The general arrives and falsely claims to be an orphan, therefore exempting himself and the girls from the pirate's plundering, due to their code of ethics to never harm an orphan. Act 1 ends with the General being added as an honorary member of the Pirate Band and Frederick and Mabel happily planning for their upcoming nuptials.
Are you keeping up?
Act 2 opens as General Stanley confesses his orphan lie to Frederick, (between fits of weeping) and begs him to hurry up with his extermination plans, before the Pirates learn of his treachery and return to exact their vengeance!
Frederick introduces the brave constable force who will fight with him that very night to destroy the pirates.... but who in reality, are the fearful-est lot ever! These policemen are so hilariously bumbling and faint-hearted and their leader is a gymnastic bean-pole!! Mabel and her sisters attempt to bolster their spirits with the following song... which has the opposite effect! (fun note: We attempted to sing this in our home-school choir and I had the extreme joy and honor of singing Mabel's part, though I don't think I could quite reach the notes!)
So things are going... alright and Frederick is consumed with glorious purpose and is, of course, singing about it, when the Pirate King and Ruth show up and pop his bubble with the news that he is still honor (or should I say Duty) bound to their band, since his birthday lands in leap year.
Frederick is aghast, but sees no escape from his duty, so he abandons his plans, bids farewell to Mabel, who promises she will wait for him (even though Frederick will be 84 before he is released), and joins the pirates in their attack on General Stanley's mansion. Why are they attacking the mansion you may ask? Oh, well you see since Frederick is once more a part of their band, he was duty bound to tell them of the general's treachery.
The policemen, hearing of Frederick's return to piracy, reluctantly resolve to carry on the mission to capture the pirates alone and the whole movie ends in a giant clash between the two bands!
as to the tidy resolution and happy ending, you will have to watch the movie to find out... or simply listen to the soundtrack which will tell you everything!
Oh my word, I love this movie so much!!!!!! And I really want you to as well, so please give it a watch! I believe there is a version of the movie on Youtube. If you've never watched this musical, I would recommend you watch the movie first to familiarize yourself with the story, then watch THIS VERSION of the play which adds alot of hilarious extra bits!
To wrap this up here are my favorite songs...
#1 Oh Better Far To Live And Die
Well, that's all for now, be sure to check out all the other Pirate Themed Posts over at Hamlette's Soliloquy!
Farewell ye land lubbers!
Grace
P.S If you are in the mood for yet another Pirate musical, you should really check out The Pirate Queen starring Stephanie J. Block and Hadley Fraser. It tells the story of Grace O'Malley and her fight for her country's freedom, her love and her people. (There is one icky song "Boys Will Be Boys" which I recommend you skip, but the rest is beautiful!!)
I enjoyed your article very much. Gilbert and Sullivan forever!
ReplyDeleteYears ago, my husband and I were involved in a community theatre production of "Pirates of Penzance." He was so caught up in the show that he would still burst into the songs (Away, away My heart's on fire I burn this gross deception to repay) without any warning. It was quite handy when embarrassing our daughter when walking her to school.
Thank you! I second your Gilbert and Sullivan forever!
DeleteOh my goodness, that is hilarious! My sister and I burst into these songs a lot too! It's so cool you got to be in a production, who did you two play?
I came across this blog party far too late, but I'm so glad to see a post on this musical because it is the literal best pirate adventure story (even ranks above treasure island). It's a classic in our house!
ReplyDeleteYES!!! I totally agree... though I haven't seen too many other piratical adventures! What is your favorite song/part?
DeleteEven though I took part in 3 Gilbert & Sullivan musicals when I was in college, I have never seen Pirates of Penzance. Isn't that shocking?!? I will have to see if I can track down this version, as Kevin Kline is always so fun!
ReplyDeleteOh my, that is shocking! Which musicals were you in and who did you play? I do hope you like this one! I've only seen Kevin Kline in this musical, but he is HILARIOUS!
DeleteI was in the chorus for The Sorcerer, The H.M.S. Pinafor, and Yoeman of the Guard. They were very, very fun!
DeleteI love Kevin Kline in Dave and heartily recommend it if you like comedies. It's even reasonably clean. I reviewed it here a few years ago if you're curious. He's very wondeful in it.
Oh ok, I've only heard of The H.M.S. Pinafore, I'll have to check the others out! I'd love to be in a play someday and I think it would be especially fun to be in the chorus of Fiddler on the Roof.
DeleteAwesome, thanks for the link! I do enjoy comedies, though we don't watch enough of them! It'll be interesting to see my beloved Pirate King as a different character!