HMS Pinafore

Tonight I attended VIU Theatre Department's production of HMS Pinafore, and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed myself! The production had a few difficulties, but the silliness that I expect from a Gilbert and Sullivan musical was all there.

While the set design was good but not extraordinary, the costumes ordered from Malabar Limited in Toronto were superb. The women's elabourate dresses heightened the play's visual impact with their sheer size, and the way their bustles bounced as the ladies danced added to the hilarity of one scene in particular.

The orchestral accompaniment was good, although the musicians themselves distracted me from the action of the play a couple of times with their giggling. I understand that a couple of the principal actors were recruited from the music department as well. I am not sure which these were, but I could take a guess from the stiff acting of one of the male leads. His tenor was brilliant, but sometimes he looked like he wasn't really comfortable being there.

As far as the vocals went, I was greatly impressed with the cast in general. Those long, rapid lines are difficult, but they were, for the most part, executed with clarity. I must say "for the most part" because Josephine tended to get lost among other voices in ensemble numbers. The girl really should have been miked. She had character and a sweet voice, but whenever she ventured into her upper register, she lost all volume and most enunciation.

All in all the production provided an evening of giddy laughter, and I would recommend it if you can tear yourselves away from your term papers. The show runs till Saturday.