The Brent Walker Pirates (1982)
Cast
Major-General Stanley |
Keith Michell |
Pirate King |
Peter Allen |
Samuel |
Brian Donlan |
Frederic |
Alexander Oliver |
Sergeant of Police |
Paul Hudson |
Mabel |
Janis Kelly |
Edith |
Kate Flowers |
Kate |
Jenny Wren |
Isabel |
[not indicated] |
Ruth |
Gillian Knight |
Ambrosian Opera Chorus
London Symphony Orchestra Conductor: Alexander Faris Camera Director: Rodney Greenberg Stage Director: Michael Geliot |
Keith Michell
OperaWorld PIR10V |
|
CBS/FOX Video Cover, showing Peter Allen as the Pirate King |
Most of the Walker videos, included at least one television star who would be better known to American audiences. But, like Peter Marshall in Pinafore and William Conrad in The Mikado, Peter Allen was utterly miscast. He plays the part with more effeminate swish than buckling swash, and he misses much of the humor. Keith Michell may not find many nuances in the Major-General, but he is at least adequate. Alexander Oliver and Janis Kelly sing sweetly, but Oliver — made up to look like an 1880 Frederic — looks utterly unconvincing. Gillian Knight's consummate vocalism and superb comic timing are bright spots. Except in a few odd spots, the production is mostly in a traditional spirit and gives a decent impression of what the opera is all about.
Issue History
Date |
Label |
Format |
Number |
Comments |
1982 |
Brent Walker Productions |
VHS PAL |
[unnumbered] |
|
1983 |
Pioneer Artists |
Videodisc |
PA 83-059 |
1986 |
Woolworth |
VHS PAL |
S1001 |
1991 |
BraveWorld Video |
VHS PAL |
STV 2040 |
1994 |
Polygram Video |
VHS PAL |
6325283 |
1996 |
Opera World |
VHS NTSC |
PIR10V |
1999 |
Roadshow |
VHS PAL |
102028 |
2002 |
Acorn Media |
DVD |
AMP-5335 |
Available only in a 10-disc boxed set (cat. AMP-5483) including the entire Brent Walker series, excepting Trial and Cox and Box. |