HMS Pinafore

As part of their centenary celebrations the society decided to return to their roots and put on a concert version of HMS Pinafore – a show they first did in 1927 and have performed on three other occasions, the last being in 1987. Whilst the overture was played a short video presentation of photographs and copies of programmes from the previous productions was shown – a lovely look into the society’s history. The company of 70 singers was made up of present and former members and they made a delightful, rich sound in the ensemble numbers such as “We Sail The Ocean Blue” and the rousing finale “Oh Joy! Oh Rapture Unforeseen”. Jim Wallace was the Narrator for the evening keeping us up to speed with the story and enlivening things with a smattering of witticisms. Iain Campbell as The Rt Hon Sir Joseph Porter K.C.B. (First Lord of the Admiralty) had the audience in stitches with his rendition of “When I Was A Lad” and in the trio “Never Mind The Why And Wherefore” with Josephine and Captain Corcoran. Michael Bell’s rich lyric baritone was shown to its best in Captain Corcoran’s solo “Fair Moon, To Thee I Sing” at the opening of Act 2 and a lighter side to the character was displayed in his duet “Things Are Seldom What They Seem” with Ishbel Fraser’s delightfully comic Little Buttercup. Ishbel was able to show a more serious side to the character in her rendition of “A Many Years Ago”. As the star crossed lovers at the centre of the piece - lowly tar Ralph Rackstraw and Captain’s daughter Josephine – Paul Rendall and Hannah Firth were excellent. Paul’s strong tenor voice and Hannah’s soaring soprano being perfectly matched in their duet “Refrain, Audacious Tar”. Strong support was given by Steve Bray (Dick Deadeye), Colin Paice (Bosun), Dennis Gowland (Carpenter) and Kirsti Jones (Cousin Hebe). The small band, under the expert direction of Glenys Hughes, comprising of pianists Graham Shorter and Andrew Woodward and percussionist Eilidh Wilkinson gave excellent support to the singers. Penny Aberdein’s direction was simple but very effective. Well done everyone and here’s to the next 100 years!

At the end of the performance I was delighted to be asked on stage to present the society with their NODA Centenary Certificate which was accepted on their behalf by three of the past presidents and the current president who were all among the evening’s singers.

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