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Pirates of Penzance, in New York to get the jump on the companies that were sure to steal it. Sullivan wrote the score and Gilbert wrote the words and provided the direction. They insisted on using real actors who could sing, rather than popular singers, which was the custom of the day.
“Gilbert was a hard master and considered a temperamental perfectionist,” O’Connor said. “But the actors always sided with him when there was a dispute. And he never attended the first night’s opening since he always was afflicted with a terrible case of nerves. He would wander around London until the opening performance was over.”
Unlike Gilbert, you won’t find Waldren O’Connor pacing up and down Gay Street Thursday night when Pinafore opens, since he’ll be needed on stage in a key role. But O’Connor said that they’ve had their share of worries since the first casting of Pinafore. “We’ve had people leave the county, get sick, anything you could think of,” he said. “The logistical obstacles have been enormous. There are no wings in the theatre so the
actors must dress at a home several blocks away and arrive by bus at the theatre. Building the set has also been a problem since the theatre is in constant use. Still, we have persevered and the library is a worthy beneficiary.”
Rappahannock County dwellers are fortunate that O’Connor and his crew have persevered. The advance sales for H. M. S. Pinafore have shown it to be a tremendous success, with both scheduled nights sold out. An extra production had to be added for Thursday night. Anyone wishing to see the results of these long weeks of effort can purchase tickets at the box office starting at seven o’clock.
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