No 42 -- Summer 1994 Edited by Michael Walters
Alan Borthwick's production was bright, breezy, full of action and fun, and superbly showcased by a young and talented cast. Outstanding were the two youngest principals - Pirate King, (Peter Grant, 20) and Frederic - Graham Bruce, who was 21 on 28 February this year! Peter Grant was both visually and vocally exciting and showed remarkable maturity for one so young. He even looked like a Pirate King. He plays prop-forward for Boroughmuir Rugby Club, so you can imagine what I mean! Graham Bruce comes from Glasgow with quite a CV already. He looked well in his tight-fitting costume and gave the ladies of the audience a pleasant few minutes when he removed his shirt while wooing Mabel (Ann Heavens) who, in this production, did not need much wooing. Played in a vampish manner a la Linda Ronstadt, she had poor Frederic at her beck and call in two seconds flat!
Heather Boyd (Ruth) was a well-rounded, motherly lady with excellent voice and acting. Sgt. of Police (Simon Boothroyd) and his chorus, were a la Keystone Cops. James McKirdy brought a breath of fresh air to the usually low-key Samuel, rough and tumbling round the stage with the rest of the Pirates, usually losing out! Other business included the Pirate King accidentally discharging one of his pistols, "shooting" one of his pirates, who staggered offstage and came back, still staggering, with a bandaged head, only to be further ill-convenienced when his Captain threw a sword for him to catch, which he missed and was injured in the unmentionables! Major General Stanley (Roland York) looked well in his uniform, and joined in the action. The sets were bright, multi-layered and interesting. MD David Lyle kept the cast together with ease.
LINDA WOOD
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