HMS Pinafore

HMS Pinafore still well-afloat
The Bunyip
Robert LAIDLAW

The Northern Light Theatre Company has put on some entertaining shows in its 37 year history, but it is doubtful any have been more spectacular than its latest rendition of Gilbert and Sullivan's HMS Pinafore.Making its debut at the Arts Theatre in Adelaide, because of the construction work at its home base in the Shedley Theatre at Elizabeth, NLTC made good use of the extended stage, with a production that will have patrons lining up for another look.

And fortunately for Gawler, HMS Pinafore is coming into town for three shows in late May, on the 23rd and 24th in the Gawler Institute, for two night performances and a matinee on the Saturday.

For Gilbert and Sullivan aficionados, this version of HMS Pinafore is a must see, with enough surprises to even make the original collaboration team pleased with the result, which gives patrons value for money.

Do not blink or turn away through the staging of this show, as it would be easy to miss a treat, although perhaps the biggest surprise comes immediately after the interval.

HMS Pinafore is set in Plymouth, but somehow it comes loose from its moorings at the break, and floats deep down south to Cornwall, with pleasant repercussions for those who follow G&S plays.

Musical director Mark Horner does a good job with his baton, but a cameo with sword in hand is a show-stopper - do not be late back from the interval!

Another plus is the explosive finale, where the Village People are probably glad to have joined the Navy. What this cast has done with Ceri Hutton-Horner and Damon Hill's script adaptation has to be seen to be believed.

The modernisation of the comedic lines will leave audiences in stitches, although for anyone in the seats close to the stage, beware of the bearers of oars, as a little "row-rage" may get out of hand.

Of the leads, Damon Hill, as Sir Joseph Porter, reprises his sensational comic performance as Ko Ko in the Mikado last year, and is the glue that makes this ensemble a masterpiece.

Kerri Hutton has the sweetest voice as Josephine, and is a standout, while Brendan Clare puts in a dastardly performance as Dick Deadeye - please give the man a handkerchief!

Everyone puts in a good effort, and the energy emerging from the production is invigorating. Nick Setchell as Captain Corcoran, Chris Eaton as Ralph Rackshaw and Mandi Hill as Little Buttercup all pull off their parts with aplomb.

The dancing will have audiences wanting to join the cast on stage, as it sets a feel-good mood, with Ben Po'ona and the two youngest members, Max Trengove and Phillip Wolfendale, dancing up a storm.

Watch for Wolfendale's solo rendition of "Buttercup", although he was definitely showing his age by bringing his "Turkish Delight" on stage.

A must see entertainment extravaganza, HMS Pinafore is currently showing at the Arts Theatre in Adelaide until May 3 and at the Gawler Institute on Friday and Saturday, May 23-24. For session times and prices, call 8255 0362 for further details.

Best Little Whorehouse In Texas

Mayfair Theatre, Goodwood
9 October 2003

Review by Sue Oldknow
Adelaide Theatre Guide

Opening night of Northern Light's latest production saw a few more bumps than grinds as the cast and crew settled into the less familiar surroundings of the Mayfair Theatre.

Problems with the set and lots of loud chat from the folks in the techie booth upstairs proved a bit distracting at first but gradually the play took over from the production and you could start to lose yourself in the story.

The story is that of Miss Mona (Rachel Spargo) and her "Chicken Ranch", a bordello she inherited from Miss Wulla Jean who has been the strict Madam there since the 1930s. We are now in the 1970s and although the rest of the world has changed, Miss Mona still runs a tight and strangely clean ship.

However, things are about to take a turn for the worst as evangelistic TV news reporter Melvin P Thorpe (David Merrett) tells the world that (shock-horror!) Texas Has a Whorehouse in It! Can Miss Mona and her girls survive Bible Belt America in the television age?

Damon Hill's plush bordello set and Ann Humphries' bright and co-ordinated costumes set the scene for some nice performances scattered among a possibly too large cast.

As the lead, Rachel Spargo handles her dialogue well and can sing a pretty mean country tune but she is miscast. She comes across as too young and lacks the necessary authority a woman in Miss Mona's position would have.

Theresa Dolman as Doatsey Mae displays maturity, pathos and good comic wit. Michelle Uren is spot-on as Shy and Kim York has a good handle on the contrasting character of Angel, bringing in some nice moments of sadness.

Sally Mortimer as Jewel has potentially the best voice on stage but should not have been forced into some of the high vocal gymnastics that don't quite come off and distract from that beautiful rich deep voice.

Ben Kempster plays Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd with authority and delivers his clever, tongue-twisting lines very smoothly and Graham Loveday as Narrator deserves a special mention for the marathon opening number that sets the whole thing up.

Miss Mona's girls are very good. Coming in all shapes and sizes there's not a shy one amongst them as they strut their stuff and display some good singing voices and slinky moves. Hard Candy Christmas is particularly well done.

The large bunch of boys do well too. The Aggies Song is a lot of fun with some simple but strong choreography from Peta Nievelstein. All the boys seem to be enjoying themselves with Troy Brailsford in particular giving a very comfortable and confident performance.

He is part of the Barbershop Lone Star Strutters who have varying degrees of success with their 4-part harmonies. Musical Director Tammy McInnes has a fairly difficult score to work with involving lots of country harmonies. Hopefully after opening night nerves have settled, so will the harmonies, because when they work they are very sweet indeed.

Director Fran Edwards has done well to incorporate such a large cast into a bright, energetic and fairly sexy show. It was pretty wobbly on opening night but as confidence increases it will only get better and, despite the hiccups, the crowd had a really good time. I'm sure you will too.