Triumphant First Night For "H.M.S. Pinafore"

Chronicle (Levin), 12 August 1949, Page 4

Triumphant First Night For "H.M.S. Pinafore"

Abounding in gay colour and those sparkling melodies which * have made the. light operas of Gilbert and Sullivan universally po-pu-lar, "H.M.S. Pinafore" had a triumphant. 'first night in ithe College Hall, Levin, last evening. These annual performances by pupils of Horowhenua College have always found- favour, and interest has been* further heightened with this recent vefiture into the realms of light opera. Last- year the college scored a hit with "The Pirates of Penzanee." Those who were fortunate enough to witness that performance will surely have booked seats this year. . Those who did not should make their attendanee at "H.M.S. Pinafore" a "must." The season closes on Tues*day night. •- The college has been most successful in recruiting a really strong mald chorus and has a find in Brian Morrison^ who has the makings of a fine tenor and is most ably suited ^for the part of Ralph Rackstraw, 'the able seaman who "loves above .his station." Outstanding a7so is Gordon Lankshear, cdst .as Able Seaman Dick Deadeye. His is a character part requiring dramatic taient as well as a good singing .voiee. He lived the part most admirably. Making their first appearance in light opera, Maitel Andrews, in the role- of Josephine, the Captain's daughter whose hand is sought by Sir Joseph Porter, First Lord of The Admiralty, aird humble Able Seaman Rackstraw, and;. Margar'et Wyness, as Little Buttercup, are the two principal feminine leads. They are both most suited to their parts and made a very creditable debut last night. Frank Baiimber, who plays Captain Corcoran,. needs no introduc- . tion to Levin audiences. The part of the admiral, Sir Joseph Porter, is capably handled by Jim Edgar. Ralph Woodfield plays the bosun, Ron Coleman the bosun's mate and David- Lind the carpenter's mate. Others taking part -are Lynette Gibbons, as Hebe, Jill Clark, Heather Young and Peter Knox. A chorus of 80 voices has worked hard on the choral num.bers under Miss Browning and Miss Thorn, and an orchestra of ten give excellent support. Much work has obviously gone . mio the manufacturing of the costumes, but the effect makes it really worthwhile. yhe girls' chorus wear-Victorian f rocks in pale blues greens, pinks and yellows, with matching poke bonnets and muffs while the crew of the Pinafore are m sailor's white summer kit. The difficulty of naval uniforms for the admiral and capfcain has been c.everly overcome by recutting dress clothes. of the perio'd. Mrs. Maitel Andrews wears a crinoline frock of pale yellow silk with insets of pale blue apd old lace. Hebe (Lynette Gibbons) wears a frock of pale greten with poke bonnet to match. Little Buttercup (Margaret Wyness) wears a Victorian frock of a bold green and black check with shawl and loonnet to match. A most realistic backcloth, de^ctirtg the quarterdeck of "H.M.S. Pinafore," adds the touch to a really fine stage setting. Difficult • num^ers -are encountered m H.M.S. Pinafore," particularly in the finale to the first act, but their handling is most praiseworthy. Then there are those well known airs "I'm Called Little Buttercup" and "He Is An Englishman" which, although written over 50 s years ago, still delight audiences whenever they are sung. 4. ^?:?se Pr°viding the backgromid to this really worthwhile performance are: — Chorus of sailors: B. Arcus, R. Brazier, B. Candy, L. Crawford, B. Collett, J. Hannan, I. . King, D. Lindsay, A. Lee, |>. Laik ^jNorton, L. O^on^jL ^fe%®Menham: aunts: Minam • • Benj amin, June Buchanan, Wilma Brunton, Patricia Burt, Shirley Collett, June Cooksley, Dorothy Crowley, Phyllis S°£ frlvBery111 Grice> Audrey Grice, Beryl Meynell, Marna Potter, Valr r1? ®^u^bings, Robyn Thornley, Vajerie Watts, Patricia Rolfe. Orchestra: Mrs. M. Powell, Miss L. Thorn, Judith Todd, Messrs M. Boyce, B. Lind, J. Kissell, G. Mould," • George Hannah, Geoffrey Brown and Ron Keenan.

otners responsible for the success of the show are:— SettingMessrs M. R. Smith and E. Laceywstumes: Miss Coleman and Home Science^ Department; lighting: Mr. K. A. Alderson; orchestra: Miss Thorn; conductor: Miss A. Brownchorus: Missi Browning (girls) (boys) ; stage manager:' * ^U^ater; business manager: x^'a V, y' Tile Producer is Mr. N. A. Byrne.