H.M.S. PINAFORE

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 136, 5 March 1941, Page 5

H.M.S. PINAFORE

Performance Acclaimed By Crowded House

“H.M.S. Pinafore,” a comic opera in two acts, by Gilbert and Sullivan. Cast of characters—

The Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Porter, K.C.B. Ivan Menzies Captain'Corcoran Gregory Stroud Ralph Rackstraw Maxwell Oldaker Did? Deadeye Bernard Manning Bill Bobstay Richard Watson

Bob Beckett hen Gottlng Midshipmite Joyce Mundy Josephine Viola Wilson Little Buttercup Evelyn Gardiner Hebe Sara Gregory

“H.M.S. Pinafore,” the Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera revived by the .Williamson company at the Grand Opera House last evening, is probably the most successful musical work of its kind produced in the last century. Yet when 'it was produced in London in 1878 (composed by Sullivan when he was wracked with pain), it was within an ace of being written down as a failure. The opera has been presented in many ways in New Zealand. One amateur performance of the work in the old days was given on board a ship lying at Queen's Wharf, Wellington. Unfortunately the weather was not sympathetic, and the show’ was not a great success.

The melodious old opera resplendent with new scenery (an artistic backcloth of amazing perspectives and colouring) and enriched by a complete set of new costumes, came back to the eye and ear as fresh and spariding as the far day on Which it was first produced.. The ladies who come “a-tripping to the shipping” looked very charming in gailycoloured crinolines, and the sailor crew sported two complete uniforms in the first act, whites -being worn in honour of the arival on board of Sir Joseph Porter, Admiral of the Fleet. In that, burlesque role, Mr. Ivan Menzies played with a cool circumspection and mock dignity that was highly amusing. He gave point to the solo “I Am the Monarch of the Seas,” and fooled with nimble alacrity in the number, “Never Mind the Why and Wherefore.” Mr. Menzies occasionally speaks his lines sotto voce, and one. has to strain to catch his words. Miss Viola Wilson made the most fresh and bewitching Josephine seen in Wellington for many years. She sang the music with abandon, and acted with spirit. Ralph Rackstraw found a handsome and alert exponent in Mr. Maxwell Oldaker, who was convincing as the topmast' hand who turns out to be a captain, and Mr. Gregory Stroud was admirably reserved as Captain Corcoran. One of the best performances of th! evening was the Little Buttercup of Miss Evelyn Gardiner, who threw constraint to the winds and gave the audience a real dyed-in-the-wool Buttercup, vocally and otherwise. Mr. Richard Wntson was a stalwart Bill Bobstay, the boatswain’s mate, and had no difficulty in securing a treble encore for his one solo, “He is an Englishman.” Mr. Bernard Manning gives his very best performance as the ghoulish Dick Deadeye. Mr. Leo Packer’s musical direction was impeccable. He never departs from the ethical in his tempos, and his control is always firm. The choral work was a feature of the performance. “H.M.S. Pinafore” was preceded by a performance of the Burnand and Sullivan musical farce, “Cox and Box,” which outran its course many years ago. The characters were played 'by Messrs. Lett Getting, A’incent McMurray and Bernard Manning. “H.M.S. Pinafore” will be repeated this afternoon, tonight, and tomorrow night. '