GILBERT and Sullivan’s endearing comic-opera HMS Pinafore sailed into the Oakwood Centre this week as the Woodley Light Operatic Society (WLOS) took to the high seas for their winter performance.
Telling the story of lowly sailor Ralph Rackstraw, played by Alistair Parry, who has fallen madly in love with the Captain’s daughter, Josephine (Laura Curtis-Dagg), Pinafore is a light-hearted jaunt into the woes of 19th-century social hierarchy.
Unbeknownst to Ralph, Josephine secretly loves him too, but is too proud to admit her feelings for fear of what her father, Captain Corcoran (Tom Dance) will make of her. Instead, she is promised to the ridiculous Sir Joseph Porter (Gareth Watkins), the head of the Queen’s Navy, who has never Captained a ship and is prone to bouts of sea-sickness.
Spurred on by Sir Porter’s declaration that all British sailor is any man’s equal, Ralph goes forth to declare his love for Josephine who soon forgets herself and confesses her true feelings too. The crew set about making plans to smuggle the couple ashore to be married that night, but their plans are thwarted by the dastardly Dick Deadeye (Tony Towers), a gruesome sailor who wishes ill upon all. Will Ralph and Josephine live happily ever after? Or will Captain Corcoran put an end to their budding romance?
Making her debut for WLOS, Laura Curtis-Dagg played a charming Josephine, tackling the trickiest of numbers like a seasoned professional. Tony Towers brought Deadeye to life perfectly and kept the audience chuckling throughout.
Accompanied by a skeleton orchestra, who made an incredible sound for so few performers, the singers made a fantastic effort for a piece with some very intricate numbers: the tongue-twisting I Am the Monarch of the Sea was thoroughly entertaining and a highlight of the show.
The only point that let the performance down was the sound, either the orchestra were slightly too loud (being in the balcony directly next to the audience does present some challenges), or the singers could have done with microphones for at times they were drowned out and difficult to follow. But overall HMS Pinafore is a terrific effort and a thoroughly enjoyable evening out.
HMS Pinafore runs until tomorrow (Saturday) at the Oakwood Centre, Headley Road, Woodley. Tickets starts at £14, concessions are available. For more information and to book tickets visit www.wlos.co.uk or call the Box Office 0333 666 3366.
