The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-04-06

portant data regarding the history
of The Pirates"
The Pirates of Penzanoc" was the
Gilbert & sullivan. the three previous ones
being Trial by jury" The Sorcerer' and
H. M. S. Pinafore."
The opera had its first production at
the Fifth Avenue Theatre in New York on
the 31st of December, 1879. The reason
that the American performance preceded
me English one was that in the absence
of an International copyright law H. NJ.
S. Pnafore' had been pirated in America
Cat one time no less than seven produc
tIons were running simultaneously in New
York; and the authors determined to pro-
duce The Pirates" first in America. The
principal singers were brought from Eng
Gilbert in New York. with Sullivan him
self leading the orchestra on the opening
Meantime. to secure the English copy
right. a scratch" performance, hastily
performers with scores IN their hands. had had
been given in a tiny bandboX of a private
theater at PaIgnton, q small seaside vii
lage in South Devon. Paignton was chosen
for its remoteness and for the fact that
a company, touring the provinces in III.
IA. 5. Pinatore1 was playing at the same
Ilme IN the adjacent town OF TOrQuay and
could be used for the performance. The
'audlence was purpoSely limited TO a hand
full Of those connected with the Gilbert
and Sullivan enterprise. and the first pro-
gram IS headed; Royal Bijou Theatar
Paignton, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 1879. For one
day only at o'clock. an entirely new
and original opera by Messrs w s. Gill
bert and Arthur Sullivan, entitled "The
Pirates OF Penzance. being its first pro-
ductlon in any country"
This historic performance had added in
terest for Americans because the cast in
GUIDED one Mr.. r. Mansfield" as the
Major General, the aforesaid "R Mans
field being no other than our own star
Richard Mansfield. who was then serving
his apprenticeship as singing comedian
I1(NlV (orfpfc
As soon as the American production was
safely launched Gilbert & Sullivan re-
Comique on Saturday. April 3. 1880. and
incidentally. marked the Beginning Of his
brilliantly successful partnership between
author, composer and DCyly Carte. man
It is said that Gilbert derived his IN
spiration for The Pirates from an in
cident which happened to him in child
hood. While travelling with his parents in
MIaiy ne was stolen by brigands IN Naples
kidnapped from his nurse. It seems OBJ
vious that this was in mind in the in
cldent where Ruth, when a nurse-maid.
was told to apprentice Frederic to q pilot
instead of which she apprentitced him to
a pirate:
"Mistaking my instructions. which within
my brain did gyrate,
I took and bound this promising boz ap-
sad mistake it was to make and doom
him to a vile lot.
bound him to a pirate-you-ins of
to a pilot"
In 1.-THE Pirates Of Penzance" we
have the best opportunity to see
what both the male and female
chorus can do as we'll as the prin-
cipals. There is real chorus singing
in 1.-THE Pirates"
I am not going to pick out the
individual work Of any one person III
"The Pirates" because the entire
company is perfect.
The only bad thing about the
whole business is the small audi
ences that are passing up the treat
of the season.
Before I forget it. I want to call
your attention to the spirited, in
telligent and competent directing of
Sep Morscher in the orchestra pit.
Here is man tina, not only knowns
his Gilbert and Sullivan, but loves
their works. Here is masterful CO.
operation with those on the stage.
"The Pirates of Penzance" will be
the offering at EngLShs tonight and
Saturday night with THE Mikado"
on Saturday afternoon.