HMS Pinfore

Society: Christchurch Gilbert & Sullivan Society
Venue: Regent Theatre, Christchurch
Director: Sarah Oliver
Musical Director: Ieuan Davies
Choreographer: Adam Davis
Date seen: 29 September 2023
This production of HMS Pinafore was not only an absolute delight, full of fun, humour, energy, drama and
pathos, but a very impressive achievement indeed. The Director, Sarah Oliver, (who also appeared at times in
the Chorus) had made the bold move of setting it in contemporary times aboard a submarine, with an updated
libretto, and the result was a wonderful triumph. Bravo, Sarah, and congratulations to everyone involved in
helping her to realise her creative and ambitious vision and interpretation! What was more, the whole
performance was done without microphones and amplification. The singing was clear and superbly-projected,
which in the very large space of The Regent Theatre was very impressive indeed. For me that was a particularly
pleasure as I do so much prefer it if a performance can be delivered without microphones.
There was a hint of the contemporary setting on the cover of the programme (a very good programme, by the
way), with ‘HMS Pinafore’ written in a modern typeface, and with a couple of the photos inside, but I was just
not prepared for the awesome (not a word I think I’ve ever used before but fully merited here) set that was
revealed when the curtains went back. The bridge deck of a submarine had been created in brilliant detail,
including a very striking radar display screen with moving illuminated images. The only downside of this
feature was that, being so central and so striking, the changing display could at times be a slight distraction
from the wonderful performances. In the grand scheme of the stunning set, though, that was really neither
here nor there and the ‘wow’ factor increased when the curtain went back for the second half and it was
apparent that the bridge deck had now been transformed into the torpedo room! I loved the touches of
Buttercup arriving in Act 1 on top of the sub in a rubber dinghy, and in Act 2 through one of the torpedo tubes,
wearing mask and flippers! There was also a clever use of a film clip of Buttercup swimming underwater,
shown just after she had been ‘fired’ from a torpedo tube by the Captain. During Act 2 the torpedo room was
transformed at lightning speed back to the bridge deck, showing how cleverly and creatively it had all been
designed. Well done indeed to all of the set team on an amazing job.
After a charming and entertaining travelogue of slides depicting the sub’s journey across the world to
Portsmouth, accompanying the overture, the Men’s Chorus of submariners (carrying iPads/tablets instead of
clipboards) delivered a rousing rendition of “We sail the ocean blue”, during which Buttercup arrived on deck
in her rubber dinghy. Selling prophylactics as well as baccy in this updated version, The actress gave a superb
performance as Buttercup. She sang “Hail Men o’Wars Men” with verve and humour and as well as being a
strong singer, in all of her songs, she was excellent in her comic acting. So too was Dick Deadarm
(an injury to Mark’s arm during rehearsals requiring the use of a sling having prompted the change of name
from Dick Deadeye). With a great voice, confident acting and great timing he could hold the stage whatever he
was doing, including giving a very neat summary for the audience of the plot so far. He was just the right
rascally counterpoint to the ‘straight’ naval characters. Indeed all the cast, including Men’s Chorus and Ladies’
Chorus, were strong in both singing and acting and this, combined with the joy and energy of the updated
script and setting, meant that the show really held together and the pace didn’t drop.
There was a great  Botswain/Bosun, in both acting and singing, and his rendition of “For he is an
Englishman” was very stirring. I also really enjoyed his harmony singing in ‘A British Tar’. He was ably
accompanied in this by his Botswain’s Mate, Carpenter, who gave a strong
performance and was always enjoyable to watch. Captain Corcoran was played with commanding authority
and aplomb. In “My Gallant Crew, Good Morning”, which he sang particularly well, he really brought out the humour, and his transition at the end from Captain to a Dorset sailor/Ordinary Seaman was very amusing. Sir Joseph ws played magnificently, entering to the sound of The Beatles’ YellowSubmarine. He showed masterful proficiency and bags of gusto in the challenging song “When I was a lad”,with its updated lyrics referring to Zoom and Amazon Prime.

One of Sarah Oliver’s inspired directorial decisions in this production was to extend the role of Hebe, Josephine’s companion, giving her more words than in the usual libretto of HMS Pinafore. Played very skilfully, she not only acted as a perfect foil for Josephine, her down-to-earth character contrasting neatly with Josephine’s, but sang superbly and was a delightful, funny character in her own right, chipping in with nice comic touches like her aside to Josephine about Ralph: ‘he’s so fit’.

The two romantic leads, Ralph Rackstraw and Josephine (were simply stunning. Both of them displayed a great range of emotion and they were worked perfectly together, their relationship
and mutual attraction being clear and very believable. They also interacted brilliantly with the other principals, adding great depth to all of the scenes and scenarios in which they appeared. Both were superb in their singing, their acting was always a treat and their clarity and projection in that large auditorium were impeccable. Ralph’s opening song was a tour-de-force in which he gave not only massive oomph and volume but also strong feeling. He is a fine actor and I really enjoyed how he could move seamlessly from giving a strong retort to Dick Deadarm to a sentimental, loving interaction with Josephine. She also wowed the audience from the get-go, with her acting and singing. Her solo song ‘Sorry Her Lot Who Loves Too Well’ was wonderfully delivered, her whole demeanour presenting a sadness inside, and it set the standard for the rest of her performance, Her mastery of acting was evident from the way in which she maintained a stillness on stage when it mattered, focussing the audience’s attention. Her solo “The Hours Creep On Apace”, contrasting a comfortable life with one of poverty but with love and with an amusing reference to TV, was a triumph and
had the audience gripped, and she and Ralph really showed their strengths in their duet “Refrain, AudaciousTar”.
The chorus numbers were well handled and there was some delightful choreography. The Choreographer, Adam Davis (adding this role to that of Ralph, well done indeed!) had the challenge of the restrictions imposed by the submarine setting, and he succeeded admirably. I particularly enjoyed the choreography in “Carefully on Tip-toe Stealing”, which also included some entertaining clips of cartoon cats on film, and in the rousing Finale of Act 1, “Can I Survive This Overbearing”.
The trios all worked very well indeed, and, without wanting to take credit from any of the others (all good), Inoted especially ‘Kind Captain’ sung by Hebe, Corcoran and Deadarm, which was almost like a folk song, and the lovely trio with Corcoran, Sir Joseph and Josephine drinking champagne. In this it was very amusing to see the bottles of champagne became steadily larger, with Sir Joseph chucking one of them behind him and it being expertly caught by one of the sailors.
The contemporary setting, in a submarine, and the updating of the libretto were very imaginative, added a great deal of humour and made the whole thing more accessible for the audience. The Orchestra was excellent and Ieuan Davies did a fantastic job as both Musical Director and Conductor, covering in the latter role a very wide orchestra area with musicians having to be spread all the way across to the far ends. The lighting design and operation enhanced the overall effect of the sets and the moods and the Front of House team was superb,giving us all a very warm welcome.
Congratulations to all on an innovative, entertaining production and thank you for a very enjoyable evening.
Martin Stephen
Representative, District 11, South West Region
National Operatic and Dramatic Association

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