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Everyman Theatre 'Sail the ocean blue' |
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HMS Pinafore, a Gilbert and Sullivan classic, has faced a major reinvention. To say the show, (which has been showing in July as part of Everyman Theatre's Summer festival) was a surprise, is an understatement. However, as Gilbert and Sulivan fanatics begin to sigh at news of an alteration to a classic, I must insist, it is this very approach that results in producing entertainment in its highest form.
Gareth Wyn Griffiths and Simon H West have revitalised the original, and arguably rather dated version, allowing the tale to be experienced from quite a different perspective. A remarkable aspect of this reinvention is that of the score. Ingenious reworking of numbers such as "Monarch of the Sea" are very successful. Other surprising features include the well known, "Buttercup," undergoing a fascinating, Disney inspired revamp, and a fantastic mega-mix of a finale in which a combination of musical genre's co-exist wonderfully, with a Latin America vibe thrown in too.
There are some superb individual performances, with spells throughout in which the audience are consistently included in a typical 'panto' fashion. Despite the assumption that Pinafore for many, is often viewed as a production that only true G&S lovers can appreciate, Everyman Theatre's vision of this much loved operatta should appeal to all. It focusses on creating as much fun and entertainment as possible, and in my opinion, which I'm sure will soon be shared by others, it doesn't fail to do so.
Rhys Edwards
Lisvane, Cardiff
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