TheLittleSongbird I'd say yes. Although I did thoroughly enjoy the 2006 Opera Australia and the 1994 Sydney performances(the latter is not for everybody though) and the 1983 film, this Pirates really stood out. All are much better than the 1982 D'Oyly Carte and 1985 Stratford productions, which I was disappointed by. The Pirates of Penzance was my first Gilbert and Sullivan operetta and possibly my favourite. You can definitely see why here. The lyrics and dialogue have always been hilarious and they are still here. The costumes and sets do look handsome, and the staging is always fun and never dull. It is even better musically, with stylish orchestral playing and conducting, the sisters are charming, the pirates lively and the policemen hilarious(and not under-pitch like they were in D'Oyly Carte). The performances are really impressive. Kevin Kline is not quite as good as he is in the 1983 film but his Pirate King still has charisma and swagger. George Rose's Major General Stanley is impeccable vocally and dramatically, he sings the patter like it comes easy to him when really it must have taken him a lot of practise and he performs with such gusto. Tony Azito is alongside Richard Alexander for Opera Australia the best Police Sergeant on DVD, his facial expressions and body language are priceless. Rex Smith is a dashing Frederic, and Linda Ronstadt is charming as Mabel, especially liked her duet with the flautist, a shame really that it went over the audience's heads. Patricia Routledge is a funny and sympathetic Ruth also, superior to Angela Lansbury in the film. Interesting to see Alice Playten(Blix in the fantasy film Legend) as Edith. Overall, a wonderful Pirates of Penzance. 10/10 Bethany Cox

wooddad This is the theater cast that prompted the movie, also starring Linda Ronstadt, Kevin Kline and Rex Smith. I always felt the movie was rather cheesy, even by '80s standards. Kline shines as the Pirate King. He mugs well with the audience, and has some wonderful business, often involving the pit orchestra. (The stage was built partly around the pit, which makes for some wonderful interaction.) Smith and Ronstadt both have pop/rock roots, and it shows. Smith at least has some theatrical bona fides, having debuted in "Grease." Still, musical theater is nothing if not camp, and Smith and Ronstadt are both sufficiently campy in this production. (I note, with some glee, that they had to key most of Ronstadt's arias a third or more.) We bought this version because it was the only one available (all the others had been "returned to vendor!") and were pleasantly surprised. I'd seen the movie and had to quell my gag reflex through most of it. This works much better as the theatrical version from whence it sprang 120 years ago. Still fresh; still funny. See it!

kairos00 I have this version of the DVD, and in spite of the warnings of the'technology of the day', if enough finances and talent were thrown at restoration, it would make a fantastic experience. Others have stated the short comings. I am distracted by the poor video and audio quality.I have just finished watching the movie version, with Angela Lansbury. Again, others have noted the short comings of the movie VS the Central Park production. I must say, though that Ms. Lansbury did a very decent job.So, which one is better, in MHO? This version, by far. For one thing, which has not been mentioned, in the movie version many songs were shortened or eliminated all together. This stage version is COMPLETE! You get all the wonderful words and music created by G & S. The movie also seems a little 'over the top'. Now I realize that this play is meant to be hammed up, but the actors mugged it up a lot more, and there were disturbing sound effects inserted when all you really needed was the actor's expressions. So, bottom line, in spite of the poor production, i'll keep my Central Park production, and forget the movie version.

terrydo I have just watched this film for about the 20th time ,and I can assure you Ruth was played by Angela Lonsbury not Patricia Routlidge The one I watched I taped off the tv , all the other cast were the same. is this another version ?many thanks T J Careless