HMS Pinafore

I was delighted to be invited by Dore G&S Society to see my first production in my role as a Noda Rep, the society being one of the longer running groups currently celebrating their 51st show .

Gilbert and Sullivan are best known for the many comic operas they composed including The Yeoman of the Guard , The Mikado , HMS Pinafore . Operettas are usually shorter than full operas and sit between an Opera and a Musical often described as light opera with spoken dialogue.

The set was cleverly devised with an excellent back cloth and cleverly covered legs along with steps and door entrances and exits providing plenty of options for the performers. The ship based set was easy on the eye and even when used within the dungeon scene with suitably reduced lighting worked very well. Well done to the backstage team, not so much to do but still done seamlessly .

I must compliment your Director Graham Weston who throughout the production had clearly provided the guidance and vision for the performers to aspire to. The shaping of the full ensemble numbers along with The sailors and the ladies numbers were cleverly devised. The discipline within the movement, somewhere between Military and Morris I really enjoyed, never rushed but seamlessly achieved along with well timed hand and arm movement was performed really well. 

Your musical Director Martin Yates must be delighted by the all-round standard achieved, singing and performance combined portraying the story with the clearest of diction which is so important. His work in achieving these standards was complemented by his excellent orchestra who performed to the highest order, and I was delighted that the sound balances were maintained throughout allowing audiences to hear both the actors and the orchestra in harmony together.Unlike many productions there were no individual mics instead a series of five floor mics and 7 drop down,3 to the rear and four near the front. Paul Minott maintained the levels really well and along with the wonderfully delivered singing,including off stage singing, the whole evening was heard without effort. The lighting by Pete Brown was effective and worked well with the scenery and costume colour , frustratingly a light from upstage kept flickering out towards the audience , nothing you could do but may be able to resolve between performances , well done .The costumes were a joy lighting up the stage with a beautiful contrast between the sailors and the ladies , the shoes all matching and the wigs , fitting the period whilst in places amusing , all completed the picture . 

The Rt Hon Sir Joseph Porter played by Stephen Andrews the classic First Lord gave a commanding performance during  many cameo scenes  along with singing of the highest order , I particularly enjoyed Now give three cheers and the Trio in Act 2. With your cheeky asides to the audience you did get the girl ,but not the one you set out for. Capt Corcoran by Alex Hayward Browne, some great acting showing sadness and joy,singing a joy to listen to. Fair moon opening act 2 was beautifully delivered and along with the duet with Deadeye great fun well done. Ralph Rackshaw played by David Barnard again some marvellous acting and singing of the highest order and finally when roles became reversed you won the lady of your dreams . Dick Deadeye by Simon Copley what a great part to play , well done for maintaining your bent posture and squint eye throughout with excellent singing and a totally believable acting . Bill Bobstay played by Dick Bell and Bob Becket played by Mike Spriggs with some great cameo scenes, voices full of richness and songs delivered with depth and meaning, great performances.Josephine by Rebecca Lambert you won the heart of Ralph in the end . You gave a powerful performance showing the misery of having to be married to Sir Joseph initially and the delight after finding the truth along with strong singing throughout. Hebe by Samantha Jones performed in speech and song to the highest order whilst carrying your unborn child,well done . Mrs Cripps by Carolyn Bean a great character part, excellent singing and of course the laugh out line about you ..Practising baby farming in your earlier life … but I mixed them up !! Along with your red hair and posture and mischievous looks, well done. Sgt of Marines by Derek Habberjam a smaller cameo role carried out with disciplined performance. Throughout the whole production the stage awareness and poise shown was excellent. The whole ensemble maintaining character and as said earlier giving an all-round solid performance. The standard and clearness of the spoken and sung word was excellent

This operetta contains many humorous lines .. Your honour you are an extremely handsome gentleman….

How is he a good man? because he told me so …. What never – well hardly ever … and many more. 

I have to say that G&S is not my first love, but I thoroughly enjoyed this evening, performed by a very strong Dore G&S Society to a high standard and now look forward to further productions. 

Thank you for the hospitality given by your FOH team.

On reading this and having an evening spare, buy a ticket, you will  be brilliantly entertained as I have been . Best wishes for the remainder of the run.

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