HMS Pinafore

The curtain on opening night rose to a warm tavern scene of sailors preparing to go on board HMS Pinafore and moving on to ocean life. The themes of class, duty and love were clear to see and their presentation as the story unfolded revealed the author’s lampooning of the rigidity of the class system, in particular that one should not marry out of one’s class. This scenario led to some interesting and humorous moments. So despite the humble beginnings of Sir Joseph who worked his way up to First Lord of The Admiralty and of his democratic leanings, he drew the line at marrying beneath one’s station. He was ably played by Robin Ozog. His nobility of character was matched by the correctness of Michael McFarlane as Captain Corcoran whose humiliation by Sir Joseph was keenly felt. He wanted the best for his daughter but he was foiled here too. Lorna Murray, as daughter Josephine, had the temerity to fall in love with a mere sailor and had the intelligence to recognise the difficulty in this. Her beautifully controlled voice soared and swooped with emotion at her predicament as in Sorry Her Lot Who Loves Too Well. As the ordinary sailor Ralph who loved Josephine, Nick Temperley had the sympathies of the crew- bar one- and sang his way confidently through such numbers as A Maiden Fair To See and his duet with Josephine. The ‘bar one’ was the ugly and sceptical Dick Dead Eye, played well by Allan Woolley, who foresaw that the love match was a social mismatch and whose repulsiveness extended to the very breath he breathed. Meanwhile Elaine Young was a splendid Little Buttercup whose singing never faltered as she revealed the mix up that changed the whole story. Louise Gibson made a memorable Hebe always lending humour as she whirled round Sir Joseph at the end of which she was always ‘crushed’ The opera’s music was the winner. The male chorus as ever led the way with their spruce blue uniforms and well articulated We Sail The Ocean Blue and in subsequent songs supported the Captain and Ralph. As for the ensemble, the sailors sang melodiously throughout and were instrumental in maintaining the pace of the production and bringing out the humour as in Carefully on Tip-Toe Stealing; the harmonies of The Boatswains was for me one of the highlights as was the principals’ song with the bells; and the ladies played their parts of excited Female Relatives so timely and were smart and colourful. All were accompanied by a well toned and timed orchestra. The groupings on stage were well thought out, the scenery was apt, the use of props unobtrusive and the costumes crisp. In the end, the story satisfied and everything came together in a well sung finale. The week would go from strength to strength delighting their audiences. Well Done All.

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