14th August 2002
7:30pm HMS
Pinafore/Trial by Jury - Trent Opera/Bluecoat - Opera House
When
we first saw that Trent were to perform Trial by Jury in the middle of Pinafore
we were wondering just how it would be incorporated - would one of the sailors transgress
and be court martialed or some other complex reason - as it happened it was very
simple and fitted in with the story most appropriately (see later!)
The
overture started with the tabs down as normal and after a short while they were
lifted to reveal the deck of a modern ship with some superstructure at the
centre rear of the stage - painted battleship grey with a door at deck level and
one on the upper level - there was a balcony around the upper deck.
On deck were sailors of both sexes in modern tropical uniform of white
shirts and shorts. The men were
playing basketball and the women were doing aerobics - in time with the music.
As the overture finished the sailors gave us a rousing rendition of
"We sail the ocean blue" Dick Deadeye had appeared, dressed in white
as were the others but with a tartan apron on - he was pushing a food trolley
and as the opening number progressed he served up lunch of baked beans, sausage
and bread - on a plate, with a fork - to all the chorus who seemed to eat it as
they sang. Dick Deadeye had a
"Scottish" accent ( from the Derbyshire area of Glasgow???) He
bemoaned his lot because he was ugly and they did not like his food - to which
all agreed.
The
scene was finally set as Buttercup came on board with a delightful Caribbean
accent. What a magnificent
contralto she was - so clear and strong - and seeming effortless. She moved
amongst the sailors and WRENs selling her wares as she sang "I'm called
Little Buttercup".
Nick
Sales was excellent as Ralph and his wonderful voice was used to the full as he
gave us "The Nightingale.." and "A maiden Fair to see".
The
Captain zoomed on on a micro scooter (there must have been a sale somewhere this
year?) and covered most of the stage with his antics as he was welcomed by his
crew. Another wonderful voice and
and excellent actor who lived the part. He
had great fun with Buttercup.
Josephine
came on - very upper class accent and dressed accordingly - she had a clear,
accurate and soaring voice which coupled with with excellent diction and a
lively character made her perfect for the part. As she sang "Sorry her lot" she was followed about
the stage by Ralph with a white deck chair which he placed where ever she was
going to sit (which she never did) - a more lovelorn sailor could never have
been seen. Another excellent touch from the director.
Once
the song had finished and Ralph had gone the Captain appeared at the top of the
super-structure and called to Josephine with a loudhailer - completing each
part with "over" - most amusing.
Sir
Joseph's party were heard and the crew returned to the stage - all through this
production we never had the mass entry or exit which we usually get at points
like this - all the time crew were coming on and off as they would do in real
life - they were always carrying out meaningful actions - well done to all!
The
sisters etc. were all smartly dressed and greeted the sailors.
All looked for Sir Joseph and then with a might jet engine roar he
entered down the flight deck - pretending to be an aircraft landing.
He was full of energy and had a good voice (although he did miss a few
lines/cues at times!) What did
annoy me was the accent he kept up all through the production - was he the John
Prescott of the cabinet?? - I think it was an exaggerated Derbyshire accent.
He gave a good "When I was a lad - supported with excellent singing
and actions from the chorus.
Good
fun was had with the captain when Sir Joseph insists on the "If you
please". A British Tar was well sung and then we had one of the highlights
of the operetta as Josephine and Ralph gave us a wonderful "Refrain
audacious tar" - what wonderful voices and how they complemented each
other.
Ralph,
heartbroken at Josephine's spurning takes the cooks knife off Dick Deadeye, the
latter now having an appropriately blood stained apron on.
Ralph threatens to kill himself but Josephine says that she loves him and
all, except Dick celebrate with a wonderful active and colourful finale and the
tabs fall.
About halfway through the interval the tabs are raised and we see the same deck by moonlight - the rigging has been festooned with coloured lights and there is a grand piano on stage. About a dozen or so people are on stage moving around and chatting to each other - Andrew Nicklin - the MD is playing the piano - gradually more and more of the cast come onto the deck
All
the cast are now in formal evening wear - the sailors have black trousers, white
shirts and bow ties and the officers have white dress uniform. The ladies are all in evening dresses. As the audience come back into the theatre the party on stage
is becoming more active. The
theatre lights dim and the Captain uses his megaphone to announce that the ships
entertainment for the evening will be a performance of "Trial by Jury"
- the crew and visitors take their seats - twelve members of the crew acting as
a jury seated on two rows of benches. The orchestra strikes up and away we go.
What
fun and vitality went into this production within a production.
The Boatswain is the Usher and he sets the scene.
The defendant comes on - dressed as a first world war fighter ace -
complete with a white silk scarf which is permanently out at right-angles.
He has a lovely voice and a wicked character and he is mobbed by the
bridesmaids who are dressed in flying helmets, glittery tail coats and not much
else! The Judge is expected and all
"Hail great Judge" looking to stage right but he is pushed on at the
back in his judges chair. He sings his song and then Angelina is summoned -
Edwin repeats all the notes except the last very low one which is boomed out by
the Carpenter - very funny. Angelina
comes on in a slinky black dress with even more bridesmaids as she sings they go
round here making typical 1930's type patterns - much to the delight of the jury
members
After
much fun the Judge agrees that the best solution is to "marry her
myself" and the performance ends - items are naturally cleared away - as
would happen for real - and the Pinafore continues - Andrew Nicklin has returned
to the piano from the pits and the Captain, who is now merrily under the
influence of alcohol, moves over to the piano and sings his solo - not in the
style of Sullivan - more a mixture of Noel Coward and Frank Sinatra - unusual
but it fitted the setting perfectly. Buttercup
is sitting at the front of the stage all during this song and the Captain is
shocked to find her still on board. They have great fun with the "Things are seldom what
they seem"
Josephine
came on and gave a wonderful rendition of "The hours creep on a pace"
followed by a lively trio with Sir Joseph and the Captain - "Never mind the
why and wherefore" Deadeye
warns the captain about the planned elopement - great fun being had with the
doors and superstructure during this scene.
The crew are just sneaking off with Josephine and Ralph when the captain
stops them - he is just about to give Ralph a thrashing - having removed his
jacket and rolled up his sleeves, when he forgets himself and utters the big bad
"D" - which is of course overheard by Sir Joseph.
Much
fun and mischief is had as the captain is taken away - shortly followed by Ralph
- a good octet "Farewell my own". Buttercup sorts it all out and they return in each others
uniform - the captain now VERY common and Ralph very superior.
A vibrant finale brings a wonderful production to a close.
How
well it had all been though out and how the company had performed -
congratulations to all involved.
Sorry I do not have any curtain call photos but they came out all blurred
Club
- Steak and Kidney pie with mushy peas.
Here you see us having a welcome drink after an excellent perfomance - Di, Romy, Alan, Shirley and Bruce (from Oz)
Stephen Godward was a brilliant master of ceremonies with his little readings which had us all rolling about with laughter.
Here are our friends Jerry and 'Liz
The costume was fine when I was in the parade but I found it impossible to sit down in it when I went into the Opera House - I had to release the straps which went from the trousers and under the boots to give me enough room to bend the legs - it amused many people who were present
