HMS Pinafore Review 2005

Opened 21 July 2005
Directed: Ian Talbot
Producer: New Shakespeare Company
Performers: Desmond Barrit (Sir Joseph), Gary Wilmot (Dick Deadeye), Hal Fowler (Captain Corcoran)
Synopsis:Aboard Her Majesty's Ship Pinafore, Josephine, the daughter of Captain Corcoran, is in love with Ralph Rackstraw, an Able Seaman. However, she is about to be betrothed to Sir Joseph Porter, K.C.B., First Lord of the Admiralty, who is visiting the ship together with a his sister, cousin, and aunt.

What the critics had to say.....
SARAH HEMMING for the FINANCIAL TIMES says, "It is hard to resist such a well-sung and vivaciously delivered staging. And the cherry on the cake is Desmond Barrit's dyspeptic Sir Joseph, a vision in naval regalia. He smoulders with self-importance as he recalls his effortless and completely unmerited rise through the ranks. A treat." FIONA MOUNTFORD for THE EVENING STANDARD says, "Irresistibly jaunty new production...the well-drilled cast, including a joyously camp chorus of tars who imply water pistols would be their weapons of choice in a combat situation, sail through some of Gilbert and Sullivan's greatest hits." MICHAEL BILLINGTON for THE GUARDIAN says, "Well-cast production....Ian Talbot's otherwise enjoyable production is hindered rather than helped by Herbert Appleman's revised libretto which turns Dick Deadeye into a choric figure busily explaining the objects of Gilbertian satire." IANS JOHNS for THE TIMES says, "This Pinafore under Ian Talbot's command is more jolly knowingness than the pointed caricature of the British class system that it's supposed to be."

External links to full reviews from popular press
The Guardian
Financial Times
The Times

Originally published on

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