HMS Pinafore

As Craig says on Strictly – “Fantastic Darlings!”  Beautiful prestige costumes and so well cast as usual. Phil Holmes always delights in his roles, his delivery and facial expressions are always so convincing. Credit must be given to Mary Poppins lookalike Lucy Pakes in her role as Cousin Hebe and the ever-popular Sara Bucknall as an outstanding Little Buttercup.

I said last year that I had followed the career of Mark Ellis, and he delivered the part of Ralph Rackstaw the suitor so well this time and I must also say “well done” to his intended, Josephine, beautifully sung by Louise Cockerill. Martin Clarke carried off the character of the First Lord of the Admiralty with confidence, especially in that difficult solo. Leslie Dumbell as Dick Deadeye was suitably sleazy.

It’s hard not to mention everyone, they were all in such good voice as usual, and I liked the idea of the sirens, especially when they carried off Dick Deadeye at the end!

It was a very good production, and the Society decided to extend HMS Pinafore and not include Trial By Jury by adding a number from The Sorcerer sung by Cousin Hebe, which is a luxury in these days of copyright. Superb scenery as usual!

An excellent orchestra conducted by Andrew Burke completed a most enjoyable evening.

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