In H.M.S. Pinafore or The Lass That Loved a Sailor, W.S. Gilbert satirises the snobbery and hypocrisy of the English social system of his day. The story is of a lowly able seaman named Ralph who has fallen in love with Josephine, his Captain's daughter. Josephine, however, has been pledged by her father to Sir Joseph Porter, First Lord of the Admiralty. Although Josephine is in love with Ralph, she is determined to remain true to her breeding and marry the man her father has chosen. Sir Joseph, for his part, professes to be a man of new ideals, informing the Captain that "a British sailor is any man's equal, excepting mine," and requiring him to soften his commands to the crew by adding such civilities as "if you please." But when Little Buttercup, a local bumboat woman, lets slip that all is not what it seems, Sir Joseph's liberal notions are put to the test.
The premiere of H.M.S. Pinafore took place at the Opera Comique in London on May 25, 1878. The production was Gilbert and Sullivan's first smash hit and enjoyed a run of 571 performances.
In addition to Pinafore, we will be presenting Gilbert and Sullivan's only one act collaboration, Trial By Jury, as a special double bill. In Trial By Jury, Gilbert spoofs the legal system as a drunken judge and incompetent jury try to settle the civil case of a breached promise of marriage. The pairing of Trial and Pinafore is a historically successful one, and we very much look forward to presenting the two together. Because of its one-act status, Trial By Jury tends to be less frequently performed, so any occasion to perform it is truly exciting.
Together, H.M.S. Pinafore and Trial By Jury demonstrate the lyric and musical genius of both Gilbert and Sullivan and should create an unforgettable night of theatre.
All performances of this dual production from the Hull Savoyards commence at 7.30 pm at both the Middleton Hall and The Floral Hall as follows;
• The Middleton Hall, Cottingham Road, Hull from 17th June 2009 to 19th June 2009.
• The Floral Hall, Hornsea on 20th June 2008.
Details of ticket will be announced at a later date.
The show is full of wonderful music, colorful costumes, colorful stage sets and accompanied by the Kingston Savoy Orchestra.
If anyone requires further information please contact the Society on 01482 876918 or email the secretary@hullsavoyards.co.uk
