ENTHUSIASTIC and stirring, this might not be the best production of HMS Pinafore ever staged, but the large cast of the Edinburgh University Savoy Opera Group succeed in communicating their sheer enjoyment.
What stands out here are the singing performances. As well they should in a production which has minimal staging, a cursory nod to costume and only John Davey on electric keyboard for accompaniment.
Sarah Kim shines in the role of Josephine, Capta
in Corcoran's daughter. He wants her to marry Admiral Sir Joseph Porter, but she has fallen in love with lowly deck hand Ralph Rackstraw (Jerry Meldrum).
Kim has a beautifully clear voice and although she forces the early top notes, as her voice warms up they become easy and glittering.
Sadly, she is worst effected by the costumes, forced into an unflattering flouncy dress that makes her appear more matron than maiden.
Meldrum cuts a suitably dashing figure as Ralph, and with Christopher Cotter as the captain they bring some delightful musical moments to their duets. Samuel J Taunton has all the clarity needed for the Admiral's patter songs, enunciating well enough to hear every word.
The only disappointing named role is Jonathan Gunson as villainous sailor, Dick Deadeye. He needs to be stronger and clearer in his singing, although his acting is rather better.
Conversely, Jayne Phillips is delightful to hear as Little Buttercup, but becomes less gracious when interacting with other cast members.
Least impressive is the choreographed movement. Ranks of knee-bending sailors bobbing up and down can be very effective – but only if they are in time.
There is strong support all the way down the cast. While Andrew Edmonstone as the Bosun makes several important scene-setting lines unintelligible, he, bass Christopher Drew and the rest of the sailors provide a solid basis on which the whole production builds.
The female chorus of the Admiral's sisters, cousins and aunts who seem to travel everywhere with him, provide a confident accompaniment.
Ends SaturdayThe full article contains 336 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
