Come aboard at The Art House and weigh anchor as Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Sydney presents its sparkling new production of HMS Pinafore on September 29.
Chock-a-block with humour, romance, spirited melodies and gorgeous ballads, the popular operetta is an hilarious send-up of the British class system and politicians.
It tells of the seemingly impossible love between high-born Josephine, daughter of the Pinafore’s Captain, and the lowly ranked sailor, Ralph Rackstraw.
A love triangle arises when puffed-up Sir Joseph Porter, First Lord of the Admiralty, embarks to pursue the lovely Josephine.
How can this end well?
A clue surfaces with Buttercup, a travelling chandler, whose impossibly over-sized handbag has everything that a lonely sailor could possibly need – and a secret as well.
With a 30-strong cast of sailors and Sir Joseph’s extended female relatives and featuring top emerging young Australian talent, the show is accompanied by a rollicking live orchestra.
Central Coast soprano Suzanne Chin will perform the starring role of Josephine.
The show is directed by Christine Logan, with musical direction by Rod Mounjed, choreography by Lesley Braithwaite and stunning new costume designs by Sandi Tutt and Bianca De Nicola.
HMS Pinafore was the fourth collaboration between Gilbert and Sullivan – and that famous duo’s first major success.
It opened on May 25, 1878, at the Opera Comique in London.
Touring companies spread its popularity throughout Britain.
And in America, numerous companies ‘pirated’ the work by staging productions without the consent of the authors and without paying them any royalties.
Today, Pinafore remains one of the most popular Gilbert and Sullivan operas.
Joining Chin in the lead cast are tenor Angus Ledgerwood as Ralph, baritone Jeffrey Lock as Captain Corcoran, baritone Matthew Morris as Sir Joseph Porter, mezzo soprano Chloe Obreza as Buttercup, baritone Lindsay Walton as Dick Deadeye, baritone Nick Whiley as Bill Bobstay ad baritone Lionell Pack as Bob Becket.
The show will be performed at The Art House at 2pm on Sunday, September 29.
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