29th July
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H.M.S. Pinafore Peterborough G&S Opera House 7:30 pm  We had seats A21 &A22 in the Dress Circle for this performance

Tuesday 29th July 2003

The performance started with a lively and controlled overture.  The tabs lifted to reveal a good set, with the main ship's mast in centre stage, the wheel and cabins to the left.  What a smart set of sailors - in crisp white uniforms - carrying out their activities watched over by a very aggressive boatswain.  The opening chorus was well sung and all the participants seemed to know exactly where they should be and what to do.

Buttercup entered with a handcart full of her wares - exactly how she got the handcart onto the deck of the ship remains a mystery but it did mean that she was not lumbered with a large basket to carry on.  She sang a good "Hail! men o' war's men" She had a very good costume and we could hear every word clearly.

Ralph was very confident in his role - he performed his songs well with a delightful tenor voice which seemed so effortless.  He had good interaction with the crew.

The Captain came on deck - he was in a smart uniform but it seemed to be a little large for him - also his hat was far too big.  He was, unfortunately, very nervous, and this came across in both his acting and his singing.  He was relying too much on the MD instead of stamping his authority on the crew.

Josephine entered from the upper deck down the stairs at the rear of the set - I felt that as her father, the Captain, was exiting through a door just a couple of feet away they could have acknowledged each other - but they did not.  She sang a lovely "Sorry her lot" - in a clear, accurate voice.  Again, like Ralph, she did not seem to have a voice which came naturally to her.

Great excitement was caused as Sir Joseph's party were seen.  What a good entry they all made - again everyone seemed to know exactly what they should be doing - this company had obviously been well "schooled"  The ladies all wore period costume - in either red or blue stripes.

Sir Joseph was great - he had good diction, with a good singing voice.  He was very confident in his role, and had good interaction with those around him.  He stamped his authority straight away.  Good fun was had with the "If you please" libretto.

The trio for "A British Tar" sang excellently with much fun being had at the expense of a rather dim Carpenters Mate.

Ralph and Josephine had good interaction as they expressed/hi their love for each other.  The whole chorus then sparkled into the finale of act one as Ralph tried to shoot himself and was saved by Josephine as she proclaimed her love for him.

Act two opened with the Captain's rendition of "Fair moon to thee I sing".  He was put under some pressure with, what I thought, unnecessary stage directions.  Instead of concentrating on his song he was having to move from his seat to the wheel and then back again - for no apparent reason.  He enjoyed the duet with Buttercup much better.

The "Never mind the why and wherefore" was well done with many encores.  At last we found the reason for the sound effect system being switched on - a splash sound as Sir Joseph jumped overboard - in true John Reed style.  The reason I mention the sound effect is that all through the production we could hear an annoying hum which came from the speakers - even though there was no need for them to be on until this point - it is something which companies should bear in mind - it is very annoying to hear this constant hum!

Dick Deadeye informs the Captain of the plan to elope and they have some good fun as he does so.  The crew come back on and the captain hides under a cloak - not very well directed at this point because he is still VERY visible - perhaps behind the ships wheel would have been a better location to hide?

The crew sneak on and we have the fun with "The Cat" joke. The Captain stops them all and in telling them off he utters the "D" word which is overheard by Sir Joseph who is now very angry.  He sends the Captain of to his cabin and then after Ralph has explained the reason for the outburst, he sends him to the dungeon cell!

Buttercup explains  to everyone about the mixing up of the two babies and they return - each dressed in the "others" uniform.  Lots of fun as everyone is matched up and the production comes to a bright and lively finale.

A good production - some strong characters and some that needed a little more confidence.  Overall the stage directions were on top of things but just sometimes it was obvious that actors were struggling to get to places to deliver lines.  The music was well lead although in a couple of places the chorus was not in time - they were pulled back into line pretty quickly though.

Cabaret

Sausage and mash today (well I think the modern term for lumpy mash is "crushed potato )

The first part of the cabaret was a group of young people from tomorrows production.  They were singing modern Jazz type songs - similar to the Swingle Singers.  They were very good but perhaps they did rather too many as they were all very similar. 

We then had the Peterborough group - the first on was Sir Joseph - John Torr who gave a delightful rendition of "I'm shy Mary Ellen - I'm shy. 

We had a duet with a trumpet and singer - Dead eye and Ruth,  

A mother and her two daughters, the youngest playing the piano, singing I know him so well.

A most amusing song by David Duffy, with extensive prompt from the side by Sharon "But-a-Girl" Brindle.

 The cabaret closed with a rousing chorus item.

Here you see our friend John enjoying the cabaret

Yet another brilliant evening!