The Pirate Queen

[billroper]

daisy_knotwise and I went out with Sam, Jerry, and Bonnie to see The Pirate Queen, the new musical about Grace O'Malley and the English conquest of Ireland. It's actually more of an opera than a straight musical, which I expected. The critics say that it needs some rework and I have to agree.

There's a story hiding in there somewhere, but it's not quite getting out.

On the other hand, Sam, Bonnie, and Jerry enjoyed it more than Gretchen and I did.

Comments

[hrj.livejournal.com]

Is this the same production that was put out as an album titled "Granuaile" back, oh, must have been over 15 years ago? If so -- great to know that it finally made it to the stage. If not, well, I guess it's a story that can support inspiring two operas.

[billroper]

All-new production if I understand correctly.

[drawshad.livejournal.com]

That does not bode well for us. We're seeing it the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.

Don't worry.

[daisy-knotwise.livejournal.com]

No, it's quite entertaining.
The dancing is awesome, the sets, impressive and evocative. Lots of good-looking young men without shirts. The Act 1 finale is a as grand a spectacle as you would care to see.
But the storytelling lacks something. It's all singing. You can't convey as much story and character development when it is all set to music. And hard as they tried, I has issues with understanding all the lines. Especially Elizabeth's.
And there is no showstopper song.
Did I mention the good-looking young men?
You'll have a fine time.

GHR

[braider.livejournal.com]

Squee! It's started! Must go see. May wait until rework has been accomplished.