Trak Cinema 445 Toorak Road, Melbourne, VIC

Photo Info

Uploaded on: May 16, 2026

Size: 61.7 KB

Views: 20

License:

Trak Cinema brochure ~1983 for “The Pirates of Penzance” movie, which screened for a record 72 weeks at Trak.

The movie adaptation of Joseph Papp’s Broadway production has everything: swordfights, love affairs, comedy, and the original brilliant lyrics and music. In updating Gilbert & Sullivan’s operetta for a modern (i.e. 1983) audience, Papp cast the multitalented Linda Ronstadt and Kevin Kline in the leading roles. Ronstadt’s soprano is more than equal to Mabel’s vocal fireworks, and Kline embodies the over-the-top macho swashbuckler with panache.

The sets are stylistically reminiscent of the stage rather than attempting realism, preserving the sense of watching a musical in the theater. The incomparable Angela Lansbury is featured as Frederic’s old nursemaid Ruth, and the rest of the cast isn’t too shabby either. A perfect introduction to G & S. - Reviewed by Faith

Contributed by Greg Lynch -