HMS Pinafore

After a lively overture giving a foot tapping taste of what was to come the curtain rose on to a simple set representing the Quarterdeck of HMS Pinafore, moored off Portsmouth. An upstage rostrum with doors leading off to the depths beyond, two sets of steps leading down to the deck and doors SR and SL facilitating exits and entrances, all painted in shades of marine blue set the scene effectively for the action to unfold. This well-known tale followed, in the “topsy turvey” fashion of G & S, the passion Ralph, a young sailor, has for Josephine his Captain’s daughter, who is being sought in marriage by Sir Joseph Porter KCB the First Lord of the Admiralty. Despite being warned by his crew mates that Captain’s daughters don’t marry foremast hands Ralph persists. He is successful finally but only after threatening suicide, and the match was considered to be socially acceptable when Little Buttercup, on board to sell her wares, revealed a long-concealed and “convenient” secret of babies being swapped at birth!

The rousing opening number We Sail the Ocean Blue introduced the delightful motley crew of jolly tars. A mix of ages each with their own individuality they immediately drew the audience into the story as they moved in unison around the deck, grouping and regrouping as the action dictated, there was some lovely business at the beginning with the bunting! Bill Bobstay made for a kindly and supportive character while Dick Deadeye prowled around the proceedings disapprovingly, always the dissenting voice! Ralph and Josephine made an attractive couple and sang excellently, both showing their struggle between love and duty, especially as Ralph was so ignobly born! 

Captain Corcoran was simply fabulous, his expressions, demeanour and diction were spot on and the opening to Act II of Fair Moon to Thee I Sing, followed by the duet Things are Seldom What They Seem, sung together with an endearing Buttercup, were just delightful. 

The entrance through the auditorium of the multitude of the First Lord’s sisters, his cousins and his aunts worked well, each making a statement with their strikingly different costumes from the 1960’s! Cousin Hebe made her mark straight away in her prim tailored suit and spectacles, in contrast to the others who took the audience back to the days of “flower power”, including a delightful “hippie” and John Lennon inspired glasses!

As for the First Lord himself what a treasure! Seemingly never without a drink in hand he weaved his way around the deck of the Pinafore proudly proclaiming how he had achieved his rise to such an elevated status without ever going to sea (a blueprint perhaps for today’s politicians – what never? Well hardly ever!) and the rendering of Never Mind the Why and Wherefore together with the Captain and Josephine was excellently performed.

These were highlights in what was overall an excellent and well directed production. Of course, everything came together satisfactorily in the end. Ralph got his girl, the newly demoted Captain was able to marry the lowly Buttercup and Cousin Hebe pinned the First Lord down, probably with the pointy end of her very long cigarette holder, chasing the poor chap around the decks right to the very end!

Oh joy, oh rapture unforeseen!

While the uniforms were on the traditional side as said the other costumes had a 1960’s theme, perhaps not such an attractive option for Josephine but maybe Courr̖̖ėges couture was not easily to hand. Buttercup’s dungarees too were an interesting choice but worked in this instance for the character. Sir Joseph just looked truly splendid all round, a typical country squire in Harris Tweed and then a wonderful change of jacket for Act II.

Lighting for the most part complemented the action although at times the whirr of the fans on the LEDs was a tad distracting, and on occasion words were difficult to make out.

However, this was a thoroughly well played and enjoyable production, with a lovely ensemble feel which spilled out into the auditorium. All the choreography was well executed, with Sir Joseph trying manfully to keep pace, and the singing well representative of the familiar refrains and an excellent orchestra under the expert eye of the Musical Director, great stuff!

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what they see at the performance in question.  The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance, and it is inevitable that their assessment will be affected by that knowledge.

The N.O.D.A. Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular the performance viewed.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre.

It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future productions.

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