Durham Savoyards

The Durham Savoyards put together a spectacular annual event, a complete Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera. The orchestra, the cast and the stars of the event did a perfect job. This is a lot of fun...totally enjoyable. Looking forward to The Mikado next March!

Loved the production--orchestra was excellent and the actors were as professional as any I've ever seen. Superb!

My niece and I were completely charmed by The Grand Duke. I recently moved to the area and was thrilled to find a Savoyards company. I should have gotten tickets for more than one performance

Enjoyed the music, laughed at the lyrics and thrilled by choreography. The casting was perfect.

Gilbert & Sullivan is not Shakespeare. That being said, HMS Pinafore is cute and dated. A satirical look at the British Navy, bureaucracy and the British class system, sailors and the lasses who love them romp on a ship. Since it was written and performed in 1878, the 1940s costumes made no sense, since by then, WWII was going on, and Queen Victoria, sitting in the VIP box, was long deceased. The performers were clearly enthusiastic, although often inaudible; whether they were unmiked or mikes weren't turned on properly is hard to say. The voices overall were good, with stand-outs performing Josephine and Buttercup, although the singer performing Ralph sang with over-emphasized operatic diction which made him virtually intelligible. The male chorus was, to put it politely, not particularly physically fit, and included one woman, so unconvincing as sailors, although clearly having fun during the performance. Nice community theater.

Such a wonderful production to introduce my 26 and 28 year old children to Gilbert and Sullivan humor! Rest orchestra!

Great staging, music, costumes and enthusiasm. I was able to understand fewer than 20% of the words. which is a severe loss given Gilbert's humor and wordplay.. A focus on enunciation and assisted microphones would have produced a much more enjoyable event.

Supposedly, this is one of the least popular operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan. After seeing the Durham Savoyards production, I can't imagine how that is true.

We left at intermission. The cast was wonderful but the first act was 90 minutes long and the seats were uncomfortable. Couldn't take anymore.

The cast was great. Their voices were amazing. The staging was excellent. The story line wasn't as funny as their other operettas.

Never a dull moment with the Durham Savoyards. Never seen the Sorcerer live before, but knew enough to recognize a major plot twist thrown in by the Sovoyards without a script change. Well done!

Dangling microphones were not enough to catch the vocalists. Very few of the actors and actresses were able to enunciate clearly so much of the story told through lyrics was lost. The Reverend and the Sorcerer were exceptions to this - they could both sing well and clearly. At times, particularly when the female leads were singing, the orchestra was heard over the singer, making it difficult to make out the lyrics. The cast managed to portray the wit intended in G&S productions and the choreography was standard and performed well. Particularly amusing was the take-off of the dance moves from Michael Jackson's Thriller. However, the raunchy, self-stroking during the time when the characters were all under the influence of the love potion was completely unnecessary and overdone.

I was delighted with Savoyards' production of "The Pirates of Penzance". I thought it was very well cast, with an evenly high level of skill and ability. Though some of the voices were quite outstanding individually, the ensemble blend was beautiful. The sets and costumes were great. I particularly liked the sisters' costumes! Overall, it was a wonderful production.

The 2013 (50th Anniversary) Durham Savoyard's production of Pirates of Penzance was just top notch. The lead performers were wonderful singers and fine comic actors. Kenny Cruz as Frederic was so engaging, with a beautiful voice. He really needs to give up his day job and go professional (but not desert The Savoyards!); Stewart Albert as The Major-General did a masterly job with his part, both vocally and with his sprightly dance steps; Jim Burnette, Jr. was a dastardly, dashing Pirate King; and Mary Elisabeth Hirsh was enchanting as Mabel, both in terms of voice and presence. The chorus was a joy to watch and hear, well rehearsed, focused and having lots of fun. This production set a high bar for the next 50 years. The sets and costumes were beautiful - evocative of the setting and era, but not fussy.

I thoroughly enjoyed this production by the Durham Savoyards. I have seen this beloved operetta in London at the Theater Royal and it paled in comparison to this performance.

I have been to about 30 or so Gilbert/Sullivan performances in my life...including the Light Opera of Manhattan and the D'Oily Carte in London, and this is up there among the best. This 50th anniversary show was fantastic from beginning to end. One of those things in life that shouldnt be missed.

Although I have lived in Durham for nearly 40 yrs this was my first experience with the Durham Savoyards. It will not be my last. I presume that they are not earning their living through their art, the basest definition of professional. If I were to apply the word amateur to their work, it word be to describe their obvious love for what they do, rather than to criticize their effort. Gilbert and Sullivan's "Pirates" is enormous fun and the cast and crew share the fun they are having performing with their audience. Many thanks to them and "God save the Queen!"

Excellent casting, staging, singing, dancing -- such a really, really positive experience!

Marvelous voices and a fabulous lead actor highlight this performance. The story is slapstick, and is enhanced by comedic songs (wish I could understand the words from the women [other than Ruth] [who was not made up to be old enough, I thought, though the actress was delightful]) and an enthusiastic cast. I loved the inclusion of the queen, even when she returned far from the spotlight after intermission, and those in the Royal Seats all rose to bow to her. There were a LOT of laughs to be had and familiar songs to be enjoyed. I'll have to do this again next year!

One of the best Savoyards performances! The pace never let up. Great singing as always. Many laughs. Our whole family had a great time. The Carolina Theater is the perfect venue for this type of show because no microphones are needed.