Sasha Regan’s All-Male H.M.S. Pinafore ★★★★ Wilton's Music Hall | Mar 16 - Apr 9, 2022


H.M.S. Pinafore is one of the brightest stars in Gilbert and Sullivan's body of work and this new production respects and revivifies the original. Sasha Regan's all-male version is more than a gimmick. It takes Gilbert's gentle mockery of the English class system and exaggerated nationalism and adds a new target – gender bias and gender roles. The clever casting works beautifully and remains true to the classic work. Some lines take on a new comic meaning but this production never condescends or parodies the G & S masterpiece. Sasha Regan's direction is adroit and perfectly paced, while Lizzi Gee's ingenious choreography keeps the cast working and the audience delighted. The whole crew is strong and their exuberant energy is contagious. Juan Jackson does a fine job as the captain of the ship and Sam Kipling as his daughter, Josephine, stops the show with his amazing falsetto version of "The hours creep on apace." Indeed, all the falsetto singing is extraordinary and Scott Armstrong's Little Buttercup is hilarious. Danny Becker is a suitably smitten Ralph Rackstraw and Richard Russell Edwards is bound to catch the eye as Cousin Hebe. David McKechnie is a perfect Sir Joseph Porter, K.C.B., and he beautifully enunciates the notoriously difficult "When I was a lad." Indeed, if we had one quibble with the show, it might be that some of Gilbert's libretto needs sharper articulation. Nevertheless, for a great evening's entertainment, join the crew on the H.M.S. Pinafore.

Rated: ★★★★

Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Mark Senior.

Want to save on tickets? See our Tips page.

When, Where, Getting there:

Most Popular

Naked Boys Singing, The Garden Theatre at The Eagle - ★★★★ - Until October 25, 2020

St. Martin in-the-fields: Lunchtime Concerts ★★★★ FREE

Nye ★★★★★ National Theatre | Feb 24 - May 11, 2024

Standing at the Sky’s Edge ★★★★ Gillian Lynne Theatre | Feb 9 - Aug 3, 2024

Marry Me A Little ★★★★ Stage Door Theatre | Feb 28 - Apr 13, 2024

Frank’s Closet ★★★ The Union Theatre | March 6 - 30, 2024

Sister Act – The Musical ★★★★ Dominion Theatre | Mar 15 - Aug 31, 2024

Nachtland ★★★★★ Young Vic | Feb 20 - Apr 20, 2024

INK ★★★★ Sadler's Wells Theatre | Feb 28 - Mar 2, 2024

Police Cops: The Musical ★★★★★ Southwark Playhouse (Elephant) | Mar 1 - Apr 20, 2024

The City Life Magazine | Reviews & Ratings