Gilbert & Sullivan - H.M.S. Pinafore / Marshall, Howerd, Jones, Opera World

Rating:
Summary: An enjoyable performance
Review: I know that some Gilbert and Sullivan fanatics may complain loudly about tis video, but I am going to say how fantastic this production of Pinafore really is. Peter Marshal, despite some small imperfections in his role of Captain Corcoran, is a well-versed singer-actor. Equally up to his calibre is Frankie Howerd's Sir Joseph Porter. Howerd in his part ad-libs his dialogue not because he didn't learn his lines, but because he brings out the character of Sir Joseph perfectly well. He makes the character feel like a person with scrambled eggs in his brain, and I'm sure that his portrayal can spark off a laugh or two. The two lovers and Little Buttercup, excellently played, help to match those two principals, and the choruses of sailors and female relatives are very supportive. Alexander Faris's musical direction is a sheer delight form first bar to last. The only minor quibble is about the sound-quality. It seems so low-quality and the mixing is not well done. However, this does not detract from such an outstanding performance of this G&S great and this will be sure to find a happy fome in any classical video library.

Rating:
Summary: Don't waste your money!
Review: I was very disapointed with this production. I rate it 1 level above a high school production. It was very amateurish and Peter Marshall made like a Jackie Gleason in hamming it up. The voices and chorus were not bad, but the bad acting distracted from the enjoyment one should get from Pinafore

Rating:
Summary: H M S Pinafore
Review: It really should have been subtitled I could understand very few songs. This was a bad production in many ways. The dancers were clumsey and fell without anyone editing it out. There were awkward pauses between numbers. The 1st Lord didnt sing his song he talked it. Poor little Butter cup was hardly little. and finally very disappointed with Peter Marshall's mincing around. I would like a better version

Rating:
Summary: Living proof that TV personalities don't belong onstage!
Review: SPARE YOURSELF THIS EXPERIENCE!

Much as I adore Gilbert & Sullivan, and could even tolerate The Hollywood Squares quiz show once upon a time, I can't figure out why anyone thought Peter Marshall would be able to contribute to a G&S production. And sure enough, he couldn't.

In fact, his presence is one of the many downfalls of this production, which include mediocre choreography, a poorly designed set, unconvincing personalities, and some truly bizarre camera work. It's difficult to even sit through this embarrassing production once. You'll be better off catching a local amateur production.



Rating:
Summary: Brilliant rendition--Could hardly be better!
Review: This is the best presentation of Pinafore and of Gilbert and Sullivan that my family has ever seen. The casting is a work of genius, with a felicitous mixing of singers (for the operatic parts),comedians (for the comic parts) and dancers. The London Symphony Orchestra's music is excellent, as is the singing of the Ambrosian Opera Chorus. The choreography is fast-paced, creative, and amusing. Dick Deadeye, Buttercup, lord of the admiralty, captain, lovers, crew, and "cousins and aunts" all come colorfully and hilariously to life. There is never a dull moment. Entertaining, delightful, and fast-moving from beginning to end. We watch it over and over. We recommend it wholeheartedly and without reservation. There is no better introduction to Gilbert and Sullivan.

Rating:
Summary: Bad singing by Captain and no singing by Admiral
Review: This review's title says it all. It is incredible that non-singers were cast in such important roles.

Rating:
Summary: Try this instead
Review: What the other reviewers have said about Frankie Howerd's performance is quite true, it's terrible, but the worst thing about this video is a fault common to the whole series--no audience. It's just dead without one, no matter who the performers are. For a truly outstanding video of this opera, try the Acorn Media production of Canada's Stratford Festival performance.

Rating:
Summary: A terrible film
Review: While the music is fine and the performances are so so, the film, production values, direction, and over all antiseptic quality of this production make it one to miss. It's light opera lite. Don't bother.