The Zoo and HMS Pinafore

The Zoo

This short operetta bySir Arthur Sullivan and Bolton Rowe is a whimsical piece. Set, as one would expect, in a zoological garden while the general public perambulate enjoying the sights as two pairs of would-be lovers try to move to a happy outcome for each of them. The lead roles were well and sympathetically sung by Rebecca Smith (Eliza), Peter Caldwell (Thomas Brown), Nicholas Caldwell (Aesculapius Carboy) and Elizabeth Page as his love Laetitia. The principal line-up wascompleted by Ron Sheffield as a suitably grim Mr Grinder.

HMS Pinafore

This operetta became and has remained one of Gilbert and Sullivan's 'greatest hits' with Gilbert's very witty lyrics and Sullivan's cleverly written music which really evoked the spirit of the sea. As always Gilbert's hidden agenda was to highlight certain Victorian values which he hated - in this case it was the rigid class system which pervaded society. So the story of this operetta revolves around Able Seaman Ralph Rackstraw's love for his captain's daughter, Josephine. Such a union could not be coutenanced as he was low-born and she already promised to Sir Joseph Porter, First Lord of the Admiralty - however with a true Gilbertian twist in the tale (tail!) all ends well.

Vicky Roberts and Mark Hanson combined their vocal talents well to make a believable Josephine and Ralph while Mike Gray made a good job of the dithering Captain Corcoran, ably supported by Julie Hills as Little Buttercup. John McIntyre made a delightfully camp Sir Joseph Porter with a definite eye for the sailors. His performance was delivered with great confidence and really caught the humour inherent in this role. I enjoyed the performances too of Colin Dix as the dastardly Dick Dead-Eye and Ian Howat as Bill Bobstay - nicely delivered by both.

In the past I have been a little critical of the lack of volume evident in the ensemble singing but this time it was not so - there was a lovely balance among the voices with good clarity of diction and a well-maintained pace throughout. Well done!

The performance wassupported by musicians who were a touch over enthusiastic now and then but I really do prefer a live orchestra accompanying any musical entertainment.

The set was innovative and had been carefully designed to encompass the needs of both pieces. I liked the idea of the upper and lower decks of Pinafore although as the stage area was limited for a fairly big company I felt that a little more use could have been made of the ladders and the upper deck as the lower level seemed to become congested at times.

The lighting complemented the setting and the backstage crew made a good team. As it was a traditional production it was, accordingly, brightly costumed.

Overall this was a most enjoyable evening. Nice and light - just as one would hope for as summer approaches.

Thank you for inviting me. I do hope the show was a success.  .

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