H.M.S Pinafore

Firstly, many congratulations to all members, past and present, who have been involved with The Savoy Singers during the last 50 years and who have enabled the company to present enjoyable entertainment to the public since 1969.

The operetta opened most interestingly with the projections of important world events for each decade plus the added information about which show the Savoy Singers staged in that same year. 

Diana Vivian’s orchestra was excellent, beautifully controlled throughout the operetta and never overpowered the principals.

Setting ‘HMSP’ on an airship was a novel and imaginative idea and offered an opportunity for far more involvement from the ladies of the chorus who I believe were on stage for the whole of the first act. It also meant that the costumes were more glamorous - evening dresses really were excellent - and there’s not much to beat the appearance of men in dinner jackets. The stewards and waitresses were well turned out too but possibly the stewards would have worn white gloves. Hairstyles and make up were good.

Michael Workman was very good as Sir Joseph Porter. He had commendable diction and he brought out the comedy in his role of an upper class snob extremely well. As his intended bride Josephine, Helen Clutterbuck was charming, very expressive and sang well. Her father, Captain Corcoran, was confidently played by Geoff Vivian, and I enjoyed his singing too.

George Priestly was self-assured as Ralph Rackstraw, a much straighter role than that of Koko which displayed his wonderfully comedic qualities so brilliantly in ‘The Mikado’. Buttercup was sympathetically played by Rachel Jones who appeared to be very much enjoying her role and ‘Many Years Ago’ was so well told that it that it felt like the first time I’d heard it!

Nathan Auerbach acted and sang the role of Dick Deadeye strongly, and as The Coxswain Bill Bobstay, Chris Waters gave a commendable performance and had a fine singing voice.

The trio of ladies, Hebe, Susie and Mary gave great support to Sir Joseph and all three of them gave praiseworthy performances. It was a delight to hear Claire Brewster and Sarah Wenban sing in the second act ‘concert’ as both were strong vocally.

Duncan clearly put a lot of thought into characters appropriate for the new setting of an airship and in general it worked really well.

Selina Greenland did sterling work as the Head Waitress and Jo Langdon was suitably tipsy in ‘Come Bumpers’.

The role of Jose however, whilst extremely amusing and enacted brilliantly by Neil Barron, did distract somewhat from the other and main action on stage. 

Chorus numbers were well rehearsed and attractive visually.

The finale to Act One was splendid.

Another excellent idea was the concept of a concert before dinner. This particular G and S is very short and because it wasn’t paired with ‘Trial By Jury’, as it often is, then there had to be something extra to pad out the show. The concert on board was a good idea.  . . ‘Hail Poetry’ was super and also ‘The Cachucha’. G and S songs were the right choice.

I very much liked the idea of Buttercup telling the Captain’s fortune in ‘Things are seldom what they seem’ and ‘Never mind the why and wherefore’ was very funny indeed. The ‘Englishman’ section of the second act finale was super – loved all the flags and what rousing singing from the chorus!

Company singing was particularly good and they supported the principals commendably.

Properties were suitable for the setting and the bar was impressively stocked. The ‘art deco’ touches /ambience was strongly portrayed in every aspect of the production.

Lighting and sound were well designed and operated and the stage crew and cast worked competently to set the scene.

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