Wiltshire Times Fans go nearly mad
HMS Pinafore THERE'S clearly something about Gilbert and Sullivan which sends its fans into "an enthusiasm bordering on insanity". Apparently, that's how HMS Pinafore was welcomed in America in 1878, and last week, the faces on both sides of the footlights registered broad, almost mad grins. From the moment a crisply drilled chorus of jolly jack tars in striped jerseys started to swab the deck and extol the virtues of sailing the ocean blue, we knew where we were - in a never-never land just this side of satire. Bruce Walcroft's direction of Pinafore for the Trowbridge Amateur Operatic Society did full justice to an old favourite. Back in 1975, it was their first show after re-forming. Then society stalwart Joan Francis played that "Plump and pleasing person, sweet little Buttercup" and she played the role again last week. There's continuity for you. Other experienced and talented members of the cast included Paul Butler as Captain Corcoran and Mike Kemp as Sir Joseph Porter. They relished the satire of Gilbert's libretto as much as the catchy tunes of Sullivan's familiar score and brought out in both roles, by a little judicious hamming-up, the wonderful satire on the narrowness of the Victorian class system. Add the poor-but-honest Ralph Rackstraw (Richard Rawlings) with his ‘opeless love for the captain's daughter breaking his honest ‘art, and you've got a brew which was deliciously close to Dickens at his worst. Mari Hutchins made an elegant, breathy Josephine. Her pure soprano is splendid, but it was a pity her diction wasn't clearer - the lyrics of such gems as "Refrain, audacious tar" were largely lost. Glan Davies played the lugubrious Dick Deadeye in much the same curate's egg fashion - good in parts. He looked suitably warped and peculiar, but lost some of his words in his menacing growl. Matt Heaton and Pete Grant offered enthusiastic support in other solo roles and the whole deck was regularly invaded by a bevy of Sir Joseph's man-mad female relatives, led by the starry-eyed Hebe (Viv Luckett). A brisk and bouncy orchestra was conducted by musical director Helen Heaton. Everyone appeared to be having "joy and raptures unforeseen!", which is exactly how it should be. Sue Le Blond
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