When you’re watching your dog prowling in the back-yard and the phrase “with cat-like tread” pops into your head, you know Gilbert and Sullivan must be on your mind.

Of course I knew I was going to attend the Toronto Operetta Theatre dress rehearsal of The Pirates of Penzance. Because Erika was going away for the entire weekend, and I was left at home to watch Barkley the Beagle, (whose tread is not cat-like at all), it was a lucky break that TOT artistic director Guillermo Silva-Marin allowed me to see the rehearsal tonight instead. But it was a polished show even if there was no audience.

Gilbert and Sullivan are right in the TOT wheel-house, precisely matching their skillsets. The chorus were clear in their diction, the orchestra led by conductor Jennifer Tung crisp and musical, the tempi fast enough to energize the cast without losing any clarity.

[added next morning] Oh! And I forgot to mention the changed orchestral configuration , placing them off to the side rather than in a narrow pit at the front. You can see a music stand in the picture, stage left. This improved our visual contact from the audience with the players onstage, without being blocked as in the past with that narrow orchestra pit. I’m not sure if this is the first time TOT did this, but I’d credit conductor Jennifer Tung for following from a more awkward location. As far as I can tell, this is more common in music theatre (I remember doing it in the 1970s, when it was seen as an innovation) but nowadays it’s normal. Yet perhaps it’s not common in the opera & operetta world.

I was grateful to escape into this world of honour and promises, laughing often at the play as written as well as the additions from Guillermo and his cast.

Alexander Cappellazzo added the comedy of his portrayal of Frederic to an impressive resume of vocal & curatorial work I’ve been observing this year.

He’s a fine actor with a lovely voice and a natural unaffected delivery, so that one easily gets lost in his performance.

Ana Isabella Castro is a bit of a revelation, with a voice and delivery as Mabel belying her youth. Guillermo mentioned that she had performed with SOLT, his summer program for young singers. Yes it’s great when performers are young but one doesn’t expect to see so much polish, such exquisite coloratura, such a warm creamy tone. I expect we’ll be hearing quite a bit more from her.

Greg Finney as the Major-General brought his welcome comic gifts to the proceedings, energizing everyone around him with his brilliant timing and a strong voice.

Karen Bojti as Ruth has some wonderful moments. It’s such fun watching someone who laughs so convincingly that suddenly I find myself laughing along with her.

Sebastien Belcourt had an enjoyable night as The Pirate King, vocally and physically inhabiting the role with a confident swagger.

Pirates opens the first of three performances Friday night at Jane Mallett Theatre at the St Lawrence Centre.