H.M.S. PINAFORE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3488, 16 June 1879, Page 3

H.M.S. PINAFORE.

Sullivan and Gilbert's comio opera " H.M.S. Pinafore,"- which has now been in rehearsal for some time by Mr Towle's Amatour Opera Class, will be produced at the Theatro Royal this evening. The following is the plot : —

Sir Joseph Porter, K.C.8., First Lord of the Admiralty, has east his lordly handkerchief upon Josophine, daughter of Captain Corcoran, who is ih command of H.M.S. Pina- ; fore. The vessel, which'is stationed in Portsmouth harbour, receives a visit from Sir Joseph, who is accompanied by his cousin Hebe and Varioua sisters, cousins, and aunfc'sj Josephine, however, is beloved by Ralph RaSk* Strnw, an ablo seaman on board the Pinafore, who musters up courage to address the object of his affections, and meets at. firsfc with a forced repulse. He threatens suicide, which proves a successful experiment, and the gallant captain's daughter consents to elope with her humble adorer during the night, intending to return after the' completion of the ceremony, when remonstrance would be useless. But there is an evil-minded sailor, Dick Deadoye by name,, who niars the littlo-plot by betraying it to tho captain. The attempted elopement is therefore interrupted, and the captain, in his indignation, so far outsteps the bounds of naval decorum, as to swear ab the favoured Ralph. Sir Joseph Porter hears the oxpres; sion, and is furious. 'Ho orders Captain Corcoran to his cabin, and on hearing Qi,. Ralph Raekstraw's conduct to his beloved ono! directs his removal to a dungeon cell. Little Buttercup, a Portsmouth buinboat' woman, now startles everyone by relating vocally a history of a baby-farmiug proceeding, the gisfc'of wliich ia that the Captain and Ralph were exchanged in extreme childhood; Ealph and Corcoran now chango places, and as Corcoran, A.8., tho Pirsfc Lord indignantly declines an alliance with 0119 so low-born, accepting his cousin Hebe as a dernier ressort. Josephine is, of courso, handed over to Ralph, and all ends en regie.