I think they are wonderful!!!! How they incorporate the humor and add different songs from different operas is refreshing and shows the depth of originality. The singing is good too.
@ijones39 I don't think LLoyd-Webber has anything like the skill to compose anything with the wit of WS Gilbert or music as charming as Arthur Sullivan's - he writes very lightweight stuff for the benefit of tourists.
Of the clips from this production - I must say I liked this one the best. For one thing there were no cuts, and no major text changes. Nanki-Poo is great and sings beautifully and the weird re-orchestration (which I generally hate) is not as odious here as it is in some of the other songs. I didn't really mind the addition of all the clips form other G&S at the end. It was fun to try to recognize them quickly!
This is awesome! Even if it strayed from the original, the addition of music from other GnS shows makes it MORE entertaining for GnS nerds, I think, not less so.
These stage shows never seem to array the workers in full fundoshi gear. And I'm not sure how he carries that piano around from town to town.
Isaac Asimov once said that G&S really only works if you play it dead straight. The characters can't think it's funny, or it kills the humor. Within limits, this hasn't strayed to far from that ideal.
While I'm not a stodgy G&S purist and I love contemporary takes on these classics, this goes too far for me. Why in God's name did they have to add music from Iolanthe? Isn't this score good enough for these people? And the costuming is just plain weird. OK... Japanese anime look. I get it. But I'm still not impressed.
Why are these ghastly wannabe's trying to be funnier than the already written score? Gilbert was a genius, Sullivan was a genius and together they beget gnus!!!! Shame on you.
Gilbert and Sullivan were not artists, they were comdeic writers and entertainers. It is adaptions like this that keep their works alive and if they were alive today they would do exactly this. So shame on you, you would rather GnS died than live?
You see, this is the problem, when G & S wrote this it was built for the humor of their particular audience. As theatre progresses the audience and naturally the humor changes, while all the original humor is there there are plenty of stereotypes and sight gags and new humour strewn amongst the songs. It makes people laugh while it remains mostly faithful to the original.
G & S is not classical theatre, it is cheap entertainment of the late 1800's.
This is entertaining- visually beautiful- ok- fun, I like it- but- this is not authentic G and S. Once you've seen the real deal- done completely straight- you've see it all.
Thanks for posting these! I like them. I'm doing a production of this at school and I can't tell if this version is funny because I know of the show in alternate ways or if it is just naturally funny
clownus, apparently you do not understand past tense, I did sing as a tenor for many years, I am now 81 and can assure you I was never operated on , I do , however remember those far of days as a boy soprano with a great deal of pleasure
The way you phrased it was not "Oh in those days I played a boy soprano" It was a past tense, but a past tense that without knowing you makes it seem like you're speaking recently. So no need to be snarky with me.
I went to see a version in Jackson, Mississippi in April, 2005. If anyone has the filming or music from this performance, I would be so greatful. I believe it was at the Thalia Mara Hall.
I noticed them all! "I have a song to sing, o" from YEOMAN, "When first my old, old love I knew" from TRIAL, "If you go in, you're sure to win" from IOLANTHE, and, my favorite, "Dance a cachucha" from GONDOLIERS!!
I think they are wonderful!!!! How they incorporate the humor and add different songs from different operas is refreshing and shows the depth of originality. The singing is good too.
Sheilamaizi 5 months ago
A wand'ring minstrel, I — a thing of shreds and patches, of ballads, songs and snatches, and dreamy lullaby...
RHCT247 6 months ago 2
Somehow this works!
verdew8181 6 months ago
Many songs from other G&S operettas are used in a melody from They are as follows:
I Have a Song to Sing-O (The Yeomen of the Guard)
When First My Old Old Love I Knew (Trial By Jury)
Take a Pair Of Sparking Eyes (The Gondoliers)
If You Go In Your Sure To Win (Iolanthe)
Dance a Cachuca (instrumental) (The Gondoliers)
vonnycav 9 months ago
I think Andrew Lloyd Webber ought to compose a few operas in the Gilbert and Sullivan style just to keep the "Opera Comique" idiom in vogue.
ijones39 11 months ago
@ijones39 I don't think LLoyd-Webber has anything like the skill to compose anything with the wit of WS Gilbert or music as charming as Arthur Sullivan's - he writes very lightweight stuff for the benefit of tourists.
gavpowell1981 9 months ago
@gavpowell1981 Well, considering he's not a lyricist, I don't think he can be compared to Gilbert.
And Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita beg to differ, though they are the exceptions to the rule.
VRNProductions 8 months ago
Of the clips from this production - I must say I liked this one the best. For one thing there were no cuts, and no major text changes. Nanki-Poo is great and sings beautifully and the weird re-orchestration (which I generally hate) is not as odious here as it is in some of the other songs. I didn't really mind the addition of all the clips form other G&S at the end. It was fun to try to recognize them quickly!
oboewizard 11 months ago
To this day, I can't get past 0:46, without thinking...
"threads and--"
"NEXT!"
"patches..."
"THANK YOU!"
CecilHoshino 1 year ago
@CecilHoshino
"I would like to sing... 'A little wooden boy'... @_@"
PhangirlMusician 9 months ago
This is awesome! Even if it strayed from the original, the addition of music from other GnS shows makes it MORE entertaining for GnS nerds, I think, not less so.
DragonOfMusic1 1 year ago
These stage shows never seem to array the workers in full fundoshi gear. And I'm not sure how he carries that piano around from town to town.
Isaac Asimov once said that G&S really only works if you play it dead straight. The characters can't think it's funny, or it kills the humor. Within limits, this hasn't strayed to far from that ideal.
And he does have a wonderful voice.
Hikikomori013 1 year ago
i prefer blackadders version
lintburn 1 year ago
I got the whole performance and its pricessly funny!
borzoix4 1 year ago
While I'm not a stodgy G&S purist and I love contemporary takes on these classics, this goes too far for me. Why in God's name did they have to add music from Iolanthe? Isn't this score good enough for these people? And the costuming is just plain weird. OK... Japanese anime look. I get it. But I'm still not impressed.
794Eatondr 1 year ago
nanki-poo is so awesome!!
hehe
he is
CRAZYFORFUDGE 1 year ago 2
I hate the it. Thats all I'm going to say.
leporello56 1 year ago
im nanki poo in bancrofts school play!
TheWackorocko 1 year ago
hmmm, no orchestra and mimed singing. what do we think?
mensamoo 2 years ago
Why are these ghastly wannabe's trying to be funnier than the already written score? Gilbert was a genius, Sullivan was a genius and together they beget gnus!!!! Shame on you.
jollywigs 2 years ago 2
@jollywigs
Gilbert and Sullivan were not artists, they were comdeic writers and entertainers. It is adaptions like this that keep their works alive and if they were alive today they would do exactly this. So shame on you, you would rather GnS died than live?
Plawranc 1 year ago
@jollywigs
You see, this is the problem, when G & S wrote this it was built for the humor of their particular audience. As theatre progresses the audience and naturally the humor changes, while all the original humor is there there are plenty of stereotypes and sight gags and new humour strewn amongst the songs. It makes people laugh while it remains mostly faithful to the original.
G & S is not classical theatre, it is cheap entertainment of the late 1800's.
Plawranc 1 year ago
derek metzger is so versatile, first the Major General in Pirates of Penzance, then Nanki Poo in this, then Patsy in Spamalot!
samwardsamward 2 years ago 6
This is entertaining- visually beautiful- ok- fun, I like it- but- this is not authentic G and S. Once you've seen the real deal- done completely straight- you've see it all.
Friedagroper 2 years ago 6
im playing nanki poo in our school show
TrayofCreamCakes 3 years ago
lol me too. well i got in the principle callback. i'm trying to practice
chocomilkhappy 3 years ago
Thanks for posting these! I like them. I'm doing a production of this at school and I can't tell if this version is funny because I know of the show in alternate ways or if it is just naturally funny
JosephsonDaniel 3 years ago 2
I didn't know Conan O'Brien could sing so well.
richmond450 3 years ago 3
He can't.
clownrus 3 years ago
As a traditionist were Gilber and Sullivan are concerned I like to see them done traditionally BUT this is Fantastic , Wonderful , Great,
As a boy soprano I played all the leading female roles.
loved the olio of other G.S operas that were included.
Dhbrydon 3 years ago
Boy soprano? How old are you? Sometimes boy soprano's grow out of that and just become a Tenor 1.
clownrus 3 years ago
clownus, apparently you do not understand past tense, I did sing as a tenor for many years, I am now 81 and can assure you I was never operated on , I do , however remember those far of days as a boy soprano with a great deal of pleasure
Dhbrydon 3 years ago
The way you phrased it was not "Oh in those days I played a boy soprano" It was a past tense, but a past tense that without knowing you makes it seem like you're speaking recently. So no need to be snarky with me.
clownrus 3 years ago
Congratulations on being a senior cit on the net! In Utube. Wonderful!
carolethecatlover 3 years ago 2
hahahaha the piano is a great touch
reallygreatapparel 3 years ago
I went to see a version in Jackson, Mississippi in April, 2005. If anyone has the filming or music from this performance, I would be so greatful. I believe it was at the Thalia Mara Hall.
JennyLF1987 3 years ago
lol i love this musical, come gather round me hahahaa
theatomicpig3333 4 years ago
i love you for posting these!
Tennie42 4 years ago
THANK YOU SO MUCH TIGRRR!
j055w4 4 years ago
awsome vocal- Who was the actor, who sang this same song in the film 'Topsy Turvey'? (He was in the HBO show Rome)
TitanicTarn 4 years ago
Twas Kevin McKidd... and he was ace :)
j055w4 4 years ago
metzgers got a fucken awesome voice
uberderre 4 years ago
I noticed them all! "I have a song to sing, o" from YEOMAN, "When first my old, old love I knew" from TRIAL, "If you go in, you're sure to win" from IOLANTHE, and, my favorite, "Dance a cachucha" from GONDOLIERS!!
Maestrojosh87 5 years ago
Don't forget 'Take a pair of sparkling eyes' from Gondoliers.
BlueThunder1988 4 years ago
Amazing ... The Mikado with excerpts from Yeoman, Trial by Jury, Iolanthe and the Gondoliers!!! Wow!
VenetianSilks 5 years ago
Brilliant!... Loved the extra Swiss Element to this piece!
Kreator01 5 years ago