HMS Pinafore

HMS Pinafore

Performance date: 26.07.19

PB Theatricals specializes in producing G&S operettas in a concentrated rehearsal period. For HMS Pinafore auditions were held on 20th. July, rehearsals from the 21st. - 25th. with performances on the 26th. & 27th. and of the twenty cast members fifteen were under 21 and of those, seven were 12 and under. When quickly reading through the programme before the start of the show and realising this (ages of the cast were given) I immediately thought that this would surely be nigh impossible to deliver a demanding G&S production with such a young cast in such a short timeframe - what am I going to witness! Well I can tell you this, I was completely blown away by the outstanding performances that I did see. There were no elaborate sets or props, no orchestra - just an excellent accompanist, Amy Bladon, but it was of no consequence because what you did get was just an amazing production as the talent on display was just awesome, making the afore mentioned accoutrements, totally unnecessary. The opening number sees the sailors tidying up the deck to welcome on board Sir Joseph Porter, KCB, First Lord of the Admiralty to whom Captain Corcoran, Commander of the Pinafore, intends that his daughter, Josephine, will marry. However she is in love with a lowly sailor, Ralph Rackstraw, who also loves her. Their plans are thwarted but Little Buttercup reveals a game-changing secret that she has kept for years. 

Aidan Roberts-Turner (12) was brilliant as Sir Joseph. His ‘posh’ accent and indeed his whole demeanour was perfectly suited to the pompous nature of the character and together with his sublime acting and singing skills he totally nailed it - yes, at just 12!  Benedict Parkin was great as Captain Corcoran managing to capture the humour in the role with his wonderful facial expressions and body language which were sublime and how, at one point, he managed to do the ‘shimmy shakes’ for so long was a sight to behold. Ralph Rackstraw, Able Seaman, was indeed ‘ably’ played by Oliver Jennings. His acting and singing skills couldn’t be faltered. Emily Callow was exquisite as Josephine. I could hardly believe my ears when such a  mature, melodious, fantastic and fabulous voice came from one who is just 17. Her superb singing was equally matched by her delightful acting which resulted in a performance of the highest standard. Maya Williams, another 17 year old, has such a lovely warm and powerful singing voice and was extremely entertaining as Little Buttercup. George Taylor was excellent as the spiteful Dick Deadeye, his creepy mannerisms and acting skills were so in keeping with the role and he too, has a fine singing voice. Splendid support came from 15 year old Hannah Evans as Cousin Hebe, Karl Morewood (12) as the Boatswain, Jamie Benson as the Boatswain’s Mate and from Alan Bamber, Bryn M. Mashburn and James Sweetman as the Sailors. Of course one needs Sir Joseph’s Relatives and how charming they all were - Liddy Buswell, Sophie Cooke, Willow Dunning, Iris Angelica Hazell, Lauren Lomas, Rihannah Lomas, Lowri Tien Mashburn and Phillippa Morewood. All the singing from solos, duets, trios and quartets through to the larger ensemble numbers was so amazingly impressive and so enthusiastically delivered by a group of such young people that it augurs so well for the future not only for that of G&S, but for Musical Theatre in general. Every accolade must go to everyone involved in this company for not only nurturing young people in this genre but also enabling them to perform in productions to such a high standard.  

I do most definitely ‘give three cheers, and one cheer more’ to you all! 

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