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THE SAVOY SINGERS – ‘H.M.S. PINAFORE’ and ‘THE ZOO’
MARCH 2010
It was good to be back at the Camberley Theatre last week as your NODA Representative and I was delighted to find that the standard of the production I saw on Friday evening was as good as the last one I remember from back in 2004.
‘The Zoo’ was new to me and although the libretto of Bolton Rowe is perhaps not as notable as that of Gilbert, Sullivan’s music was distinctly familiar and most enjoyable.
The opening chorus was good and the scene nicely set in the Zoological Gardens.
Jon Graves had excellent diction and a good singing voice, and portrayed his love for Laetitia most eloquently in the role of Aesculapius Carboy.
As Laetitia,, Hazel Burrows was delightful, again with first rate vocals and diction, always important but particularly in a lesser known operetta when the story needs defining.
Ian Henderson was super as Thomas Brown/Duke of Islington and brought out the humour brilliantly. The business with the overindulgence of cakes was very funny if perhaps a little distracting from Laetitia’s rendition of ‘Laetitia waits for her beloved’, but it is difficult to see how else Stuart Box could have set the scene considering the song and actions that were to follow.
Peter Harris was quite the villain of the piece and performed well as Mr. Grinder, and Sam Johnson made a saucy Eliza Smith, with a convincing Cockney accent and good vocals.
The chorus was well rehearsed, and under the experienced direction of Richard Stockton and the accomplished orchestra, their singing was first rate.
Costumes were colourful with a good mix of styles but some of the men’s trousers were too long and perhaps the man in the top hat would have at least carried gloves if not worn them.
‘H.M.S. Pinafore’ was also well costumed with an impressive and realistic set to transport the audience to the deck of the ship. One small mistake was that the wheel was facing the wrong way to steer the ship!
Alistair Douglas was excellent in the role of Sir Joseph Porter, effeminately delicate and with some wonderful facial expressions! A truly magnificent performance.
As the woman who would finally win him, (first cousin no less!) Sam Johnson could have made Phoebe a more noticeable character and could have been a little more obvious in her adoration of Sir Joseph. I felt the part of Eliza was a one more suited to her talents.
The unfortunate Captain Corcoran, eventually to be demoted, was played and sung confidently by Geoff Vivian whose ‘Fair Moon’ was beautifully sung.
In the role of his daughter Josephine, Susan Prior gave a strong performance and her singing was most praiseworthy. ‘Refrain audacious tar’ was first rate.
Her would be beau Ralph Rackstraw was played admirably by Jon Grave who displayed his vocal ability once again but in this operetta he did not really look mature enough to be a suitor for Josephine. I know how difficult it is in the amateur world to cast a show, but perhaps a little padding might have aged him a little.
Mrs. Cripps was strongly portrayed by Kelly McCarthy who sang and acted well but the setting of ‘Things are seldom what they seem’ could have given her more of an opportunity to show her desirability to the Captain.
Having said that the operetta was visually pleasing and Margaret’s other settings/movement were very attractive. I particularly liked the entrance of Sir Joseph and the telling of ‘Many years ago’.
Playing Nasty Dick Deadeye gave Andrew Few plenty of opportunity to leer at the women and there were some wonderful moments between he and the ladies in the chorus numbers. He also had a good singing voice.
The chorus singing was commendable and the movement good excepting for one number sung by the men when the salutes etc; were all at different times.
Props were suitable, the cannons providing obstacles for delicate steps of avoidance by Sir Joseph, and piping him on board was a nice touch.
There was plenty of business going on aside from the main action at all times which made for a rounded and polished entertainment.
Your programme is, as always, attractive and easy to negotiate with good photographs and biographies. I’m sure you’ll be entering the programme competition as usual!
Thank you for inviting me to see the productions and for your hospitality on the evening. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
E. Gloria Smith
NODA Regional Representative – District 12
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