Trial by Jury and H.M.S. Pinafore

Report on

Bath G&S Society’s

Production of 

“H.M.S. Pinafore & Trial By Jury”

Directors & Choreographers – 

Juliette Coad (Pinafore) & Isobel Selwyn-todd (Triaal) ,

Musical Director –  Peter Blackwood.

 

As seen by Bob Allen, NODA SW District 14 Representative 

on Thursday 13th, November, 2025

at the Mission Theatre, Bath.

PLEASE NOTE: 

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what he sees at the performance in question.  The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance, and it is inevitable that his assessment will be effected by that knowledge.

The N.O.D.A. Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular the performance viewed.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances, and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre.

It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future productions.

Thank you for your kind invitation to visit your production of the two G&S classics. Due to the weather and appalling Bath car parking I owe my apology for the slight delay in my arrival. The show was held in a former mission hall where the audience were seated along the two long sides of a central performance area. The musicians were seated at the far end of the space opposite the entrance. There was a superb flat of a steam liner funnel behind the orchestra with a raised walkway just in front. In the main area were some wooden cubes to act as seating and blocks for height. These simple fixtures were used to great effect and the movement of which was well rehearsed. There were some over head lamps which were used with subtle effect but mainly the lighting was general and at a level where we could see all facial features. Also the show was supported by a very well designed, attractive and informative programme. All those involved deserved to be congratulated on a job very well done!

Before I review the performance I will make two personal comments. As the group had travelled around the area already with Trial by Jury, during the summer, I would have enjoyed just seeing Pinafore as a whole production without the Trial insert. The performance of TBJ was very well executed and was cast in the same period as Pinafore. It was a well-rounded enjoyable production. I just found it uncomfortable to suddenly re-adjust back to Pinafore, especially without another interval. My second comment refers to some of the cast when ending a song to speak dialogue. I wish some thought was given to actually increasing volume of speech to compare with the singing volume. I lost some of the earlier words spoken after a song. This was more notable with the female cast members

We were entertained by a cast that were well rehearsed, well tuned and enjoying themselves. This came across to the audience and enhanced our evening. There were some very fine voices not only in the lead casting but in all members. Being so close to the audience they acquitted themselves very well. No member was shy in facing the audience so closely and we enjoyed almost feeling that they were singing, not just for us but directly to us. The venue may not have been ideal for other groups but Bath G&S have really made this space their own. The movement around the space was also well rehearsed and well thought out. Movement was made during all the songs so that each member addressed each side of the audience. Not an easy thing to maintain considering the speed of some of the songs. A limited number of small props were used but no additional scenery. The cast easily filled the space available and I congratulate the directors, of both segments, for keeping the action lively and fast. I was impressed by the unity and support shown within the cast. 

It was a bold decision to set the period of the pieces within the 1920’s and aboard a liner. It really was a very successful choice. A choice made to utilise the style and colour of clothes of that period. There must have been some very talented seamstresses around. The costumes of the period were excellent – so full of pastel colours and small delicate decorations. And most of the cast got to change costumes for the TBJ segment as well – except for the sailors. It could be argued that their costumes reflected the hard ship work they were doing but it looked more like an clash of periods. Would we really have had sailors looking like that on a liner? Or were the costumes sorted before the time period for this production was agreed?

But these small queries do not matter. I saw a very enjoyable production of two much loved G & S pieces brought up to a different time period. I saw a talented group enjoy the show they were performing and was seated  within an audience immersed in what they were watching. Here was a great performance of a wonderfully talented group of people – doing a great job. Long may it continue.

Thank you Bath Gilbert & Sullivan Society for inviting me along to such an enjoyable show.

I look forward to my next visit.

Kind regards

Bob Allen. NODA SW district 14 Representative

 

N.B. The comments above are solely the view of the representative attending and only reflects the performance seen.

 

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