HMS Pinafore

HMS Pinafore – Stamford Gilbert & Sullivan Players

What a joy to be invited to join in the topsy turvy world of Gilbert and Sullivan, as Stamford G&S players delivered their own unique version of the well-loved classic, ‘HMS Pinafore or the Lass Who Loved a Sailor.’

HMS Pinafore tells the tale of unrequited love, set against the backdrop of the good ship HMS Pinafore and challenges views about class and rank while gently poking fun at the pomposity of the English aristocracy and middle classes.

Director Ruth Palmer has taken the traditional operetta and added some very innovative ideas of her own resulting in a witty update to an old classic favourite.  Ruth’s vision was visible throughout, from the colourful patriotic costumes to the positioning of the cast on stage.  She has also revisited and reinserted some original elements and added a new character. I loved the injection of humour, with a tongue firmly in the cheek, as we were treated to modern references from Star Trek, The Titanic film and some very risqué additional lyrics that had the audience roaring in approval. 

The cast worked wonderfully together, and it was lovely to see so many young people both in main roles and singing their hearts out in the chorus.  

16-year-old Ash Shaw played Buttercup, the enigmatic pedlar woman with a dark secret, very well and I was impressed how she managed to sing in a West Country accent which she maintained throughout.  Her flirtatious scene with the sailors was very well done and her relationship with the captain was lovely.

Chris Parkinson was excellent as the Boatswain as he was the ‘glue’ holding everything together, piping the cast on board and overseeing the rest of the sailors.  He had a commanding voice which added a deeper level to the harmonies.  Colin Dix, who stood in last minute to replace another cast member as the Carpenter, also performed well as a senior member of the sailing crew. 

James Turner was hilarious as Captain Corcoran with the physical comedy of John Cleese in his funny walks as he stiffly marched into position and hilarious facial expressions, he was a pure delight to watch.  He also showed he could play a more sensitive part with his sweet serenade ‘Reflect My Child’ to his daughter using a very modern guitar.  

The part of Josephine the ‘gallant captain’s daughter’ in love with the lower-class sailor Ralph Rackstraw, was played by 16-year-old Heather Moores demonstrating acting skills way beyond her years.  Heather had a beautiful voice as befits a leading lady, but also excellent comic timing shown particularly through her facial expressions and witty asides to the audience showing her true feelings for Ralph.  Heather was never out of character reacting to everything going around her and her relationship with the other main characters was excellent. 

Harry Simmons, playing the love-struck Ralph (another 16-year-old) played the part wonderfully showing good comic acting skills and vocals.  His duets with Josephine were very well done and he created a very believable character.  I loved his sweet relationship with Josephine responding to her rebuffs with wit and humour only for her to show her true feelings when he threatened to take his life.

Every Gilbert and Sullivan play requires a ridiculous comedy part, and this was played with pompous delight by 17-year-old Dryden Fowler as Sir Joseph Porter the ‘Ruler of the Queen’s Navy’ accompanied by his hoard of sisters and cousins and aunts.  Dryden was wonderful in the role showing excellent stage presence and immaculate comic timing.  From his feathered, tricorn hat, to his black buckled shoes, Dryden acted with poise and bearing rolling his ‘rs’ and rolling his eyes in comic mock horror.  I loved his patriotic additions to his costume. 

Special mention to Margaret Wainwright as the put upon Hebe who was always in character acting with her whole body and with wonderful facial expressions.  I loved her rueful ‘crushed again’ as she was once again put down and rejected by the haughty Sir Joseph. She was the perfect foil to both Sir Joseph and the newly created character of strait-laced Phoebe (played by Nellie O’Neill.) 

Finally, Dead-Eye Dick, the baddie of the piece whose scowls and sneers showed him to be the villain encouraging boos from the audience.  The song ‘Carefully on Tiptoe Stealing’ about the lovers sneaking off to elope, with the captain disguised as a cat, was very funny. 

There were lots of highlights in this show, but my favourite (and the audiences too by their reaction!) had to be the spirited rendition of ‘Never Mind the Why and Wherefore’ where Sir Joseph, Captain Corcoran and daughter Josephine sing in delight about the union of Sir Joseph and Josephine in marriage.  This was brilliantly done with the characters getting steadier ‘drunker’ on champagne and hilariously swapping roles resulting in Corcoran singing high falsetto as his daughter, and Josephine singing low bass.  Josephine’s comic asides about her actual intended, ‘the tar who ploughs the water’ were again very funny as was the subtle ‘tweaking’ of the lyrics. 

Well done to rest of the cast acting as sailors for the male chorus or Sir Joseph’s female relatives, it was evident that everyone on stage was enjoying performing by taking part enthusiastically with the choreography (particularly in the hornpipe routine to Mike Oldfield’s ‘Portsmouth’) and ensuring they were in character the whole time reacting to the action around them. 

The set was a pale grey palette featuring nautical elements such as a ships wheel, sails, masts and the captain’s cabin.  I liked the addition of height using a small platform that was used well throughout and an elevated platform area above the captain’s cabin which was used for entrances.  Lighting was used effectively with spotlights for the main cast solos and blue lighting to add a nighttime ambience. Sound effects were also used well for example thunder to highlight the evil doings of Dead-Eye Dick.

Musical director Duncan Balcon, in his debut production with the society, was concealed in the orchestra pit and conducted and directed his band beautifully providing accompaniment to the musical numbers and support to the performers. 

Well done to the team behind the scenes especially stage crew, stage manager, costume and props creators and the essential team of chaperones required to enable the younger members to participate. 

The show concluded with a rousing rendition of ‘Rule Britannia’ and we all got to wave our flags. The programme was informative and easy to read with lots of pictures of the cast and is eligible to be entered into the programme competition.

Thank you for the lovely, warm welcome and the opportunity to meet Ruth and the whole cast afterwards and to present some long service awards. 

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