I knew I was in for a treat as the group had won a coveted Rosebowl Award for last year's production of the Sorcerer and the matinee audience was near-capacity - something that would leave many amateur groups green with envy. HMS Pinafore was the musical partnership's first real success, and quite rightly so. You get it all; laughter, drama, a fantastic score and not to mention the subtle undertones of political satire. For anyone who is new to G&S, HMS Pinafore is a great place to start. Arthur Sullivan was a distinguished musician previous to the collaboration, and this is evident from the off as you are swept into a delightful overture before the curtain is raised. Satire The opera is entirely set aboard the Pinafore, with its dashing crew of sailors who in true G&S fashion beckon you aboard with the rousing chorus, 'we sail the ocean blue'. The thoroughly Bristolian Little Buttercup (an entertaining Liz Wetherell) keeps the crew supplied with all the necessaries for a life at sea, and together they motion the spotlight towards Ralph Rackstaw (Mark Beardmore). Ralph is surely to be considered striking just by comparison to his considerably older shipmates. His love interest is the Captain's daughter, Josephine (the note-perfect Eloise Adams), who has also fallen for Ralph. All would seem well, but of course it is not. Ralph is a lowly sailor, socially subordinate to Josephine, and we are hooked to a tale of love that cannot be. Captain Corcoran (ably played by Robin Markwell) has arranged for his daughter to marry none other than Sir Joseph Porter KCB (Tony Turner), First Lord of the Admiralty. Here the satire comes to the fore, Sir Joseph was modelled on WH Smith of bookselling fame who achieved the position despite any seafaring experience. Semaphore Sporting monocle and frilly handkerchief, Tony Turner played the part to perfection with an air of pompous gentry. The story unfolds with very accomplished operatic performances. I attended the Saturday matinee and was delighted to see so many children. My only qualm gives credit to the make-up team; that Dick Deadeye’s facial disfigurement was a little too convincing for some of the kids, including little Sophie who was sitting next to me. In keeping with the maritime theme, the production included a nautical costume competition and the extended interval included a demonstration in semaphore by the Bristol Sea Cadets. The younger audience members seemed to really enjoy the show and I hope it will lead to a continued following. | 
