The Emma Knights Productions’ reprise of the judiciously expurgated version of the G&S favourite “HMS Pinafore” was a delightful slice of musical whimsy. The Art Deco ambience of Theatre One playing space at the Piccadilly Theatre was an interesting, novel and successful fit. The audience, quite generous in number given current Fringe competition, loved it. Everybody left the theatre with a smile on their face. A painting of a 19th century British navy frigate in full sail and with its colours billowing behind filled the cinema screen as a fitting backdrop.
Pianist Jacqui Maynard, located on the “deck” of the Pinafore (a vessel certainly no stranger to her!) provided the most sublime accompaniment. The marriage of music maker and vocals throughout was simply seamless. And so too were all of the performances. Tahlia Murphy plays Mrs Cripps “I’m called Little Buttercup” and fits her role with a warm snugness. Her lovely vocal abilities set the standard for the rest of her principal cast colleagues. She harbours a secret from a previous (and somewhat dubious) career sojourn as a “baby farmer” that will provide the reveal and define the conclusion. But before that occurs we meet able seaman Ralph Rackstraw. Andy Turner hits all the right notes, in song and character alike, as the romantic hero Ralph who declares his love for a “lass above his station”. Turner’s vocal accuracy delivered with rich modulation and power is well paired with his sound lyric articulation. We see that, despite a difference in social status, he might well win the heart of the Captain’s daughter ” A Maid Fair to See”. His duet “An Audacious Tar” with Josephine is quite lovely and is delivered with mutual expertise.
Andrew Crispe as Captain Corcoran (“I am the Captain of the Pinafore”) enabled his bright, mellow and warm baritone voice to fill the expansive auditorium. He has a great range and enviable flexibility on stage with both his relaxed vocal delivery and his interpretation of the character being portrayed. We truly believe he is the Captain and a notoriously well mannered one at that. Well…mostly!
Sir Joseph Porter is both buffoon and blustering fool. He is the obvious lampoon target in this operetta. He was interpreted and presented to a nicety by Jeff Lang in all elements of movement, vocal qualities and comic patter alike. What we see is what we get and we like it a lot! His autobiographical piece “When I was a Lad” is well summed up by the eager chorus refrain:
“Stick close to your desk and never go to sea
And you all may be rulers of the Queen’s Navee!”
Sir Joseph together with Captain Corcoran and Josephine (the unwilling object of his affections) combine as a trio in a wonderful and simply choreographed “Never Mind the Why and Wherefore”.
Our heroine Josephine is beautifully portrayed by Emma Kavanagh. She adopted just the right demeanour as the Captain’s daughter and her dilemma of choice ‘twixt love and duty. Kavanagh filled the performance space with her mellifluous soprano notes. She really made the stage (and beyond) her own and her entrance, latish in play via the aisle stairway with her rendition of “The Hours Creep on Apace” was a highlight in this production. But it was one of many! And she too demonstrated acting skills commensurate with those of this talented company of performers.
Indeed all of the above mentioned were accompanied by a chorus modest in number but huge in both their focus and contribution. Whether playing a female relative of Sir Joseph or one of Pinafore’s crew, they went about their collective business with obvious expertise and supreme confidence. Their business on deck at the start really set the scene and their rousing chorus work, flag waving and little individual cameos completed the picture and helped prove that “love levels all ranks”. And, per courtesy of a generous G&S Society of SA the costuming was spot on. Principal players, sailors and assorted cousins, aunts et al looked terrific.
Yet again Emma Knights has shown she can make the most of any venue and that less does indeed usually prove to be more. Have I ever seen a better iteration of “Pinafore”? Well, hardly ever!!
