HMS Pinafore - King's Head Theatre

This was a 'boutique' production with only eight cast members. I was concerned it wouldn't have the magnificence of a huge-cast production with a bevy of camp sailors, but it was equally good in its own way. In the intimate setting of the King's Head Theatre, which is at the back of a pub, it was nice to be able to see facial expressions at close quarters. The dearth of cast members also meant that the First Lord of the Admiralty's aunt was represented as a cinerary urn, which made for lots of laughs.

This was my first time seeing HMS Pinafore and I was not disappointed. I found almost all the songs memorable and beautiful or catchy, and preferred the storyline to that of The Mikado, the G&S opera with which I'm most familiar. I enjoyed the nautical setting and references; the love story that crosses the social divide featuring an implausibly eloquent and verbose sailor; the theme of an unqualified person rising to a position of high responsibility...It was extremely funny, and this production added its own witty touches, such as the aforementioned urn, to which Dick Deadeye made romantic overtures at the end; the sun salutation performed by Bobstay first thing in the morning; Dick Deadeye producing a gun when Ralph was contemplating suicide; and the entrance of the 'Monarch of the Sea' in wetsuit and snorkel.

The HMS Pinafore in this production was a submarine rather than a ship, with a shiny, claustrophobia-invoking set that included bunk beds and a periscope. It was set in the 1960s, which seemed an unusual choice for a G&S opera, but I appreciated the 60s dance moves in 'Never mind the why and wherefore'. Most of the costumes, being naval, weren't obviously 60s, but Josephine's two costumes were (they included a mini-skirt and beehive), and Cousin Hebe wore hotpants.

All the cast were excellent, but I would like to extend an honourable mention to: The 'Monarch of the Sea', or First Lord of the Admiralty, Sir Joseph Porter (Joseph Shovelton), who was delightfully Boris Johnsonesque. The deadpan earnestness of Josephine (Alys Roberts) was perfect, and her voice was amazing. I loved the facial expressions and gestures of Little Buttercup (Jennie Jacobs) in 'A many years ago'. And no, I hadn't anticipated the twist at the end.

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