Falsettos and fascinators rule the waves in Sasha Regan’s all-male performance of HMS Pinafore, playing at Wilton’s Music Hall; a must-visit theatre venue in my humble opinion, writes Katie Kelly.
Having enjoyed many a show by this director at the Union Theatre over the years, my hopes were high, and were not disappointed. It’s a glorious romp this Gilbert and Sullivan satirical operetta, which mocks the pretensions of our social class and political system. This line rings very true to our current government of ‘none of the talents’:
“I grew so rich that I was sent by a pocket borough into Parliament. I always voted at my party’s call, and I never thought of thinking for myself at all. I thought so little, they rewarded me by making me the Ruler of the Queen’s Navee!”.
Several Cabinet ministers sprang to mind as the audience wryly chuckled. The highly ranked singer of this witticism is one Sir Joseph who offers a social bunk up, in the form of a marriage proposal to Josephine, the daughter of the ship’s Captain. Josephine, however, has lost her heart to a low-ranking ships tar, Ralph Rackstraw. It’s enough to make one call for the smelling salts. Will true love trump social climbing? The star-crossed lovers’ duet is definitely a winner.
For all its social satire and its ongoing capacity to hold a mirror to current affairs, Gilbert and Sullivan is essentially escapist entertainment. In case you think that is a bit frivolous or indulgent in our current situation, it is good to know that the idea for this production came in part from the discovery of an archive from a necessarily all-male performance of it in Stalag 383 German Prisoner of War camp.
The single-gender cast is not a political statement but inspired by the director’s experience of acting in school plays in her girls’ school. It’s a light touch addition to the fun and a shared joke with the audience. There was many an arch glance out to the audience at particularly high notes, all of which were received with merriment. In the midst of all this fun, the vocal performances are extremely impressive, the choreography too, and there are some genuinely poignant moments. Juan Jackson, as Captain Corcoran showed real versatility in the transition from his very bouncy, press-up-filled entrance, to greater depth when he unexpectedly sinks in the social pecking order. There is convincing emotion in the performances of Sam Kipling and Danny Becker as the class crossed lovers Josephine and Ralph. As ever, the set is simple and does a lot with a little. Some bunks, a few metal boxes, and a small dressing-up box create a world. One I was very grateful to get lost in for a couple of enjoyable hours.
Wilton’s Music Hall, Grace Alley, E1 8JB until April 9th. Booking: http://www.wiltons.org.uk/