St.
Andrews Gilbert & Sullivan Society’s operetta is a delight. The
blend of Star Trek and HMS Pinafore really does work. The whole team are
to be congratulated for staging the show in such a cramped space and to
manage to get all 18 cast members on to the stage at one time requires
much ingenuity.
The plot
is straightforward. Captain Kirkoran (Tom Briggs), Commander of the
Starship Pinafore and more Stephen Fry than William Shatner, has a
daughter Josephine (Imogen Leigh Howes) whom he wishes to marry off to
Sir Joseph Porter (Michael Fryer), the Commander of the Starship Fleet.
However, Josephine has fallen for Ralph Rackstraw (Chris Charlton), a
lowly Vulcan warp engineer. Into the action comes Robocop (Rachel
Middle), an android with feelings for the Captain. Through various
twists a happy ending results.
All the
principals have good singing voices but special mention must go to
Imogen Leigh Howes for her powerful voice and stage presence ; also
Rachel Middle for her comic talent and timing. When the whole cast is on
stage there is a rich sound to the well known Pinafore tunes. There is
one irritating feature that the lighting does not work effectively in
that the principals are often performing in semi darkness.
Apart
from this criticism this is a captivating production and one that was
well received by the audience.
***
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