Pirate Queen Reviews
Regardless of reviews, I was never overly hopeful of me ever being likely to see The Pirate Queen, and I haven’t changed my mind.
But never mind my opinion; the reviews are in, and I think it’s fair to say that they’re mixed to poor:
‘Pirate Queen’ runs off course, says Chris Jones in the Chicago Tribune’s MetroMix. “earnest and epic but ill-ruddered and oft-cartoonish”:
too dull and dour for the “Riverdance” or the family crowd, yet too full of predictable archetypes to function as the kind of weighty but broadly accessible musical of which this Broadway season is in dire need. MORE
Fails to Engage Audience says Steven Oxman in Variety. “Lush melodies, soulful scenery and an occasional jolt of Irish step-dancing don’t do enough to lift The Pirate Queen“:
the plotting and characterizations are sorely lacking. The show creates a couple of potentially strong female roles in Grania (Stephanie Block) and her English counterpart, Queen Elizabeth I (Linda Balgord). But nobody here quite knows what to do with them beyond sticking them with stock male figures straight out of melodrama. MORE
‘Pirate Queen’ needs a little polish, says Barbara Vitello in the Daily Herald. “Leaky but seaworthy”:
To be truly shipshape, “The Pirate Queen” needs some time in dry dock. But if it’s not yet ready for the high seas, it at least makes for an entertaining jaunt. MORE
Musical combines history, adventure and romance, says Betty Mohr in the Daily Southtown. “enthralling musical”, “masterfully staged”:
Those expecting another “Les Miserables” or “Miss Saigon” from composers Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg may be disappointed. But for those who take this stirring swashbuckling epic of Irish pride, passion and daring on its own terms, the rewards are enormous. MORE
‘Queen’ runs aground, says Hedy Weiss in the Chicago Sun-Times. “Beautiful sets and lavish costumes can’t buoy the droning tone”:
Far too much of “Les Miserables” and not nearly enough of “Riverdance.” That may be the simplest, if not the fullest, way to explain the problems facing “The Pirate Queen,” the handsomely designed but drearily predictable quasi-operatic musical. MORE
See Also:
• Irish Choral Music & Celtic Underpants
• Flatley Troubles Troubles
• Irish Show Folk & Weird Celtic Fox
• Broadway in Chicago: Pirate Queen
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