H.M.S. Pinafore
Union Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 5th November 2013
Sasha Regan's all-male Gilbert and Sullivan productions have become nothing short of legendary, so when it was announced that she was directing an all-male production of H.M.S Pinafore, despite trying to be open minded I arrived at the Union Theatre with very high expectations.
Set aboard the British ship HMS Pinafore, I lost the storyline at times which was partly due to poor diction from a couple of cast members. The show is very lighthearted and even if you don't follow every detail HMS Pinafore still provides a highly entertaining theatrical experience. Lizzi Gee's choreography is terrifically effective, the all-male cast effortlessly switch between playing men and women throughout the piece which is hysterically funny to watch. They go ridiculously over the top and on several occasions quite literally take the audience by surprise.
The score is irresistibly delightful and utterly timeless. It felt as if I had stepped back in time and I often forgot that only one musician was playing the music as the musical numbers were brought to life before my eyes. The majority of the cast are slick and on point. I wasn't won over by all of the men playing ladies as not all the high notes were crystal clear. However, when the company performed together in perfect harmony the result was very powerful. A mention must also go to Benjamin Vivian-Jones (pictured below) who particularly stood out as the Captain, his characterisation and vocals were rock solid.
You are not a dedicated theatregoer until you have spent an afternoon or evening at the Union Theatre. Even when I don't love a production at the Union the standard is always high and the experience is always memorable. Although I didn't adore H.M.S. Pinafore I loved watching the piece performed with such joy and enthusiasm and would certainly recommend it to anybody intrigued by seeing an all-male production of a classic piece of theatre.
Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins
H.M.S. Pinafore runs at the Union Theatre until 30th November 2013.
Please visit www.uniontheatre.biz for further information and tickets.
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Photo Credit: Darren Bell
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