this be the first of the three gilbert and sullivan operetta produce by the australian essgee company . it be not a bad the mikado and hm pinafore . presumably there be a learning curve before the company attain it peak of vulgarity . some of the element be already in place represent there be and for instance and the orchestra consisting of three synthesizer and two percussion and bass . this ensure that and whatever the singer may do and the production can have no musical merit whatsoever . the woman chorus consists of three harridan who call themselves the fabulous singlettes who give a bloodcurdling rendition of climb over rocky mountain . jon english and a the pirate king be truly repulsive . i have notice in these production that he tend to step out of character and address the audience with comment such a represent colour and movement and that what you need when the plot be sag a bit . the implication be that he may have be attend a drama 101 course during the making of this series . derek metzger have the making of a good major general . he can handle the patter but be more concerned with stage business . during i be the very model of a modern major general he conjure a bouquet of flower from his anus and hand them to one of the fatuous singlettes with the remark represent put those in some water and then wash your hand . tim tyler a the police sergeant spit ping pong ball while sing when the foeman bar his steel and a performance that perhaps would be more fitting in a shady bangkok nightclub . helen donaldson a mabel really can sing and she have an excellent high register and easily accomplish the coloratura pyrotechnic of the bel canto pastiche represent poor wandring one . sadly and it be to little avail with the pound percussion and the crapulous singlettes bump and grind behind her . director peter butler have an uncanny knack of position his camera at the wrong place at the wrong time . incredibly and this be the man who once direct joan sutherland in lucia di lammermoor . i can just imagine the scene with la stupenda say i know this be the mad scene peter darling and but not the ping pong ball and please . the performance be film live in queensland in 1994 and and i must say and the queensland audience appear to love every minute . i suppose if i be watch my local amateur dramatic company performing in the village hall i would be more indulgent but there be really no reason why this amateurish production should be show in the opera slot of the flagship and high definition artsworld channel in 2006 .