Farewell Pirates ...

The Kenwin Barton Gilbert and Sullivan Singers have recently finished a very successful season of performances of the famous ‘Pirates of Penzance’.

With only a keyboard and an enthusiastic company of singers plus a few token accessories such as hats, flags and piratical implements, audiences all over Cornwall have been transported to the pirates’ lair as well as a ruined Cornish chapel by moonlight where the Major General faces his fears.
As always we, the G&S singers have managed to infect our audiences with the love and enthusiasm that we have for the operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan. Over and over again the reaction has been – you so obviously enjoy yourselves and we have been drawn in. Church and village halls have rung to the laughter and applause. After a nominal charge to cover our expenses, we have enabled ten different organisations to raise money for their own funds, ranging from church roof to Cancer Research.

Along with our love for the humour and wit of Gilbert’s words which are as relevant today as they were when penned a hundred years ago, goes our appreciation of Sullivan’s memorable musicality. We love watching members of the audience tapping their feet to the well-known tunes and quietly mouthing the words along with the soloists.

At each venue we extend an invitation – do come and join us! We always welcome new members to our group and consider ourselves to be a warm, friendly and easily accessible crowd. We meet on a Wednesday evening from 7 to 9pm at Truro Prep School to rehearse during the winter and spring, ready to perform from May to October, with breaks for school holidays and half terms.
We have now left the pirates behind and are off to fairyland with another masterpiece – Iolanthe. This time we have fairies and members of parliament – such fun!

So what or who are we looking for? Anyone who enjoys singing and is prepared to give their time and energies to produce a performance of Gilbert and Sullivan’s wonderful work which will thoroughly entertain audiences however big or small, anywhere in Cornwall. We would particularly welcome men, young ones and those who are young at heart!

If you are reading this and thinking, yes, that could be for me! Get in touch with us – Please!

Carolyn Hendra 07834 585239 (mob) or Val Banks 01208 78648

A Rollicking Band of Pirates?

By the miracles of the new science of photography, we have been able to track down and record the faces of the famous Pirates of Penzance following a daring end-of-season raid on Mawnan Smith. Residents trembled in their seats as the Pirates sang their deadly songs and, with cat-like tread, stole their way into the village at night, spreading mayhem and frightening the General's daughters.

But evil was called to account when the members of the Local Constabulary, setting their unhappy lot aside and muttering tantantaras under their breath, bravely stood up to the vicious pirates. Mawnan Smith could once more sleep in peace.