Music by Arthur
Sullivan, Libretto by W.S. Gilbert
Directed by Kate Gaul
Musical Director:
Zara Stanton
Hayes Theatre Co.
production
The Q Theatre
Queanbeyan to 29 February
Reviewed by Len Power
25 February 2020
‘A re-imagined, gender-bending, hyper-theatrical and kinky
take on this Gilbert & Sullivan classic’, says the advance publicity. This show certainly delivers what it promises
and takes audiences on a very entertaining voyage with some of the strangest
sailors you’ll ever encounter!
HMS Pinafore was the fourth collaboration by the team of
Arthur Sullivan (music) and W.S. Gilbert (libretto). It opened in London in 1878 and went on to
international fame. It is frequently
performed to this day.
A satire on the British class system, it tells the story of a
captain’s daughter, Josephine, who is in love with a lower class sailor, Ralph
Rackstraw. Her father is determined she
will marry Sir Joseph Porter, the First Lord of the Admiralty, and Ralph and
Josephine plan to elope. Complications
ensue, of course, but all ends happily after a few contrived surprises.
The style of music and the archness of the libretto can make
this work a bit hard to take for people unused these days to operetta. Giving the show a wildly modern twist
breathes new life into it and this expert Hayes Theatre production is sure to
surprise and delight everyone.
 |
| Thomas Campbell as Buttercup! |
Director, Kate Gaul, adds an anarchic sense of wackiness to
the show with a gender-bending cast who know how to deliver funny lines with
skill and timing. The parade of
dazzlingly strange costumes, weird makeup, lots of glitter and crazy action add
another level of enjoyment.
What is especially notable with this production is the
respect for the music. It’s beautifully and
clearly sung by the cast, all of whom can handle the operatic demands of the
score. The cast also play the musical
instruments on stage as part of the action.
The musical arrangements for the smaller number of instruments give the
show a pleasant and unique sound. The
playing of the overture by the cast was a delight, setting the tone for the
rest of the show.
The ensemble cast of twelve perform the show with gusto,
never missing a trick. Amongst the group
is Canberra’s Tobias Cole, who is very funny and in fine voice as Captain
Corcoran and father of Josephine.
 |
| Tobias Cole as Captain Corcoran |
It’s all played on a very attractive set designed by Melanie
Liertz. Ash Bee’s zany choreography adds
immeasurably to the sense of fun.
This is a show that everyone will enjoy. On the surface it’s just crazy, silly fun expertly
done but the quality of the music and singing shows why this show is still
being performed over a century later.
Photos: Harvey House Productions
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast on the Artsound FM 92.7 ‘In the Foyer’ program on Mondays
and Wednesdays at 3.30pm.
‘Theatre of Power’, a
regular podcast on Canberra’s performing arts scene with Len Power, can be
heard on Spotify, ITunes and other selected platforms or at https://player.whooshkaa.com/shows/theatre-of-power.