Cox & Box and HMS Pinafore

After the tremendous success of The Mikado last year it must have been very disappointing not to have the same level of audience support for this year’s production. Perhaps it shows that although there is a Gilbert and Sullivan following in Cheltenham it has become more selective in the Operettas it wishes to see performed. As, in this form, Cox and Box is a relatively short work it can be teamed with something else, in this case the popular H.M.S. Pinafore. It had been decided to have only one interval placed between Cox and Box and Pinafore which I liked; although it makes the second half longer it ensures the continuity of Pinafore is not broken.

Cox and Box, an amusing farce, is collaboration between F.C. Burnand (librettist) and Arthur Sullivan (composer). It is the story of a landlord who lets a room to two lodgers, a Mr Cox, a hatter, who works all day and Mr Box a printer who works at night, so doubling his income. All goes well until Mr Cox has a day off work and is in the room during the day and discovers the other tenant.

After the overture the curtains opened to reveal an elaborate set with a large door centre stage, an alcove stage right which had another practical door, an alcove stage left, a stove for the all important cooking and a table and chairs. I felt the table could have been positioned facing the audience rather than stage left, as when the actors sat at it they were side on to the audience, there may have been a reason for this. 

The orchestra played well and never overwhelmed the voices but unfortunately the diction of Bouncer and Cox was not good and the audience could not hear many of the words. Box had excellent diction and seemed to be confident and enjoying his role. The trio had all developed individual characters suited to their roles. Good use was made of the stage in the dance numbers and Bouncer had excellent control of his broom. I wonder if having one person as both director and MD quite worked. I am afraid for me it lacked pace and sparkle.

After the interval, in the overture, the orchestra reminded us of the more familiar Music which was in store for us and the opening men’s chorus was rousing and got the second half off to a good start. We were treated to another excellent set aboard H.M.S. Pinafore, with variations in levels and everything you would expect to see on an old sailing ship. The lighting helped create the times of day when the action was taking place. Any set or props changing was carried out by the cast, thus avoiding loss of continuity of action. The costumes all looked suitably of the period and fitted well and everyone looked comfortable. The production did not suffer from a lack of microphones and hence there were no crackles and bangs in inappropriate places.

The singing from principals and chorus was good but there were times when some of the singers were not in time with the orchestra, they were not watching the MD and singing at a slower pace, which gave David Manifold problems trying to keep it all together; there is no point having an MD conducting if no one takes any notice of him. The ladies chorus could be heard offstage when singing ‘Over the bright blue sea’. The vocal talents of the company were shown well in the solos, duets and group singing, always competently supported by the chorus.

As always with Amateur productions you are governed by who is interested in performing in the production and everyone in this production had tackled their roles well with some performances stronger than others. Bill Bobstay, the Boatswain’s Mate, was definitely in control at all times.  Dick Deadeye certainly looked ‘ugly and triangular’ and lived up to his ‘beast of a name’ in his nature and dealings with others; although sometimes a bit ‘over the top’ you could certainly see why he was not popular. Josephine sang beautifully and worked well with Ralph Rackstraw. I would have liked a little more evidence of her being ‘a prey to melancholy’ on her first appearance. For me the highlight of the evening was Little Buttercup, she sang and told her story well and lit up the stage whenever she appeared.

The choreography was suited to the abilities of the company and we saw a little more than is usually performed in a G & S. I particularly liked ‘I am the Captain of the Pinafore.

Director, Gill Cozgell had helped her cast bring out the humour in the production, had made sure they enjoyed performing, and had ensured the story had been understood. 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.