​Kincardine Theatre Guild’s “Pirates of Penzance” is a lively, colourful, marvellous musical

You don’t have to understand opera to enjoy the Kincardine Theatre Guild’s lively, colourful and mesmerizing production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Pirates of Penzance.” But it helps.

This magnificent extravaganza of brilliant music, dancing and singing, is a delight to behold and marvellously staged – from beginning to end.

The show opened Friday night at the Kincardine Arts Centre, and Saturday afternoon’s audience was enthralled by the tremendous performance.

The newcomers to the theatre guild stage are as comfortable in their roles as the veteran actors. In particular, Alex Peroff as Frederic and Liz Coates as his beloved nurse, Ruth, command their scenes just as much as Dan McGibney who plays the Pirate King.



Dan McGibney as the Pirate King and the pirates perform in the Kincardine Theatre Guild production of "The Pirates of Penzance"

Brittany McGarvey as Frederic’s love interest, Mabel, has an incredible voice, as do her sisters, played by Jenn Peters, Megan Gramigna, Fawn Robinson, Savannah Deluca, Isabella Geberdt, Paige Wade and Emily Cassidy.

E.B. Michael Austin is stellar as Mabel’s father, the Major General. In fact, it’s worth the price of admission just to try and follow his rendition of “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General.”

The pirates are a merry band played by Rob Peters, Karen Yun, Leslie Wade, Kathie Hackney, Caroline Tarsitano, Ron Boucher, Dave Carson, Stephen McGibney, William Luhowy, Sid Duggan, Jameson May, Milo Petrie and Terry Marsh.

The show centres on Frederic who has spent his formative years as a junior pirate under the watch of Ruth. He plans to mark his 21st birthday by breaking free of the Pirate King and beginning his courtship of Mabel.

However, because he was born Feb. 29, a date that arrives only every fourth year, Frederic isn’t technically 21 – and the Pirate King is still his master. Unless something gives, Frederic will soon be on a collision course with the Pirate King’s new nemesis, Mabel’s father, the Major General.

The production is as much about humour (with several running gags throughout), as it is about music, and results in a spectacular performance that warrants buying a ticket – because you just have to find out whether Frederic ends up remaining in the grip of the pirate band, or gets the girl in the end.



E.B. Michael Austin is the Major General in "The Pirates of Penzance"

Praise to director Christine Mensher, assistant director Jaki Mayer-Duggan, and choreographers Jesse Lorusso and Graham Banville, for an amazing show. A shout-out to costume designer Holly McAdam and her team for the wonderful outfits, and special mention to the band led by Clayton Peters.

“The Pirates of Penzance” continues Nov. 21-23, and 28-30 at 7 p.m., and Nov. 24, and Dec. 1 at 1 p.m.

Tickets are $30 each; available on-line (plus fees) at www.ticketpro.com, or in person at the Welcome Centre (cash only) in downtown Kincardine.

For more information, visit the theatre guild website at: kincardinetheatreguild.com.