HMS Pinafore and Trial by Jury

Our shows this year were the pairing of HMS Pinafore with Trial by Jury. The performance took place on November 15-18 at the Corn Exchange, Ipswich.

Prior to the performance we had some publicity photos taken at Southwold.

"Trial by Jury" is the shortest G&S opera, and has no spoken dialogue. It tells the tale of a trial for "Breach of Promise of Marriage" where the defendant (Edwin) promised to marry the plaintive (Angelina) and then backed out, since he had given the same promise to another lady - the cad! "Trial" is full of wonderful music - the Judge's song of course being just one - and has the typical plot we have come to expect from Gilbert. It was the first "Savoy" opera, and opened at the Royalty Theatre in 1875, where it ran for 300 performances.

Gilbert and Sullivan wrote "HMS Pinafore", their second full length opera, three years after "Trial". It tells the story of Sir Joseph Porter, the First Lord of the Admiralty, (he describes himself as "The ruler of the Queen's Navee") attempting to woo Josephine, the daughter of the Captain of the Pinafore. It has marvellous characters like Dick Deadeye and wonderful songs such as "When I was a lad", "He is an Englishman", "Never mind the why and wherefore" and, of course, "I'm called Little Buttercup".

Reviews of the show

James Hayward from the EADT said (amongst other nice things) "The orchestra, under the direction of Andrew Burke, was in tip top form, and the sure hand of producer Mavis Holmes kept the whole show shipshape and Bristol fashion."

Rachel Sloane from BBC Radio Suffolk said in her review "A strong team of soloists, backed by an enthusiastic chorus of sailors in their blue and white sailors uniforms, and the Admirals “sisters, cousins and aunts” in splendid black and white Edwardian dresses and hats".

Other comments we received:

"Brilliant - a thoroughly enjoyable evening." Peter Norton
"Congratulations on a simply splendid production – we really enjoyed it. It was absolutely superb from start to finish. Wonderful singing, acting, sets & costumes & great entertainment. All the little touches were so well done. You could easily be a professional company." Heather Trevorrow
"a delight from start to finish. The orchestra, the costumes, the singing and the lively action on the stage made for a really entertaining performance". Captain E M Usherwood, OBE, DSC, RN
"We managed to fill the coach and everyone without exception thoroughly enjoyed last night's performance, and can't wait for next years. With everyone so full of enthusiasm we may need an extra coach!!" Keith Ralph

The Shows

Looked like this:

Trial by Jury

We set Trial by Jury as a reality courtroom drama (think "Jerry Springer" crossed with "Stars in their Eyes") somewhere around the early 1970s. That gave quite a lot of scope for wearing bright colours, short skirts and wide lapels...

The entrance of the Judge (Phil Holmes), acknowledging the "All Hail" from the Jury.

The Defendant (Leigh Caple) plays the part of Edwin-as-pop-star.

The Jury

Angelina, the Plaintiff (Fiona Morris) and the Bridesmaids (Geneva Downes and Carol Flatres)

The Counsel (Tracy Tipple) and the Usher/MC (Roy Preston)

The Ladies' Chorus and studio audience

More studio audience

HMS Pinafore

HMS Pinafore was set around 1910 on the HMS Pinafore, docked in Southwold...

Buttercup (Louise Bentley) tried to entice the sailors to buy her wares with a kiss.

"I am the Captain of the Pinafore" (Howard Brooks)

Ralph Rackstraw (Gerry Bremner) tells the sailors that "His leave of life he's taking"

The chorus of "Sisters and cousins and aunts"

Tom Tucker, the midshipmite (Jacob Yaxley) and Lesley Wittgreffe tell the cast how a "British Tar is a soaring soul".

Captain Corcoran, Josephine (Natasha Shipp) and Sir Joseph "Never mind the why and wherefore".

Dick Deadeye (Doug Birchall) tells the Captain of his important information.

Photos by Mike Kwasniak.

The Cast