PERENNIAL Gilbert and Sullivan favourite HMS Pinafore was staged last week at the Savoy Theatre in Monmouth, by a local amateur

dramatic group.

The show was chosen by Monmouth Musical Theatre (MMT) to mark their 30th anniversary, as this show was the group’s first ever production in 1988.

“HMS Pinafore has been great fun and it was lovely to reprise it for our 30th anniversary,” said spokesperson for the group Gay Rogers. “A truly motley crew of sailors was joined on deck by the pompous First Lord of the Admiralty Sir Joseph Porter. He in turn was accompanied by his admiring sisters, cousins and aunts in this wonderful satire depicting division within rank and social class.

“Included in the stellar cast is the NODA Best Musical Theatre Performance winner Andrea Pole. She played Josephine, the love struck daughter of Captain Corcoran, sung by Adrian Whitehead, fresh from his triumph as Sweaty Eddie in MMT’s brilliant staging of Sister Act.

“Ruben Tourettes brought his incomparably zany comic timing to the role of Sir Joseph Porter. Little Buttercup, whose mix-up of the two babies she fostered caused almost insuperable problems, was sung by the remarkable Gilbert and Sullivan soprano, Di Sillman.

“Tenor Adrian Bevan displayed his mellifluous and silky voice as Ralph Rackstraw, the lowly seaman who falls for the captain’s daughter.

“Stage director Kate Russell guaranteed a fun-packed evening with her intuitive feel for dramatic comedy. In the orchestra pit, MMT’s musical director, Ian Russell, directed soloists, the outstanding chorus and professional orchestra in what turned out to be an eventful and hilarious performance. This was Gilbert and Sullivan at its very best.”

“Thank you to our wonderful cast and crew as always and to our wonderful audiences. Thank you for your support and wonderful comments.”

The group is staging Guys and Dolls next. Rehearsals start at 7.30pm on Wednesday, October 3 at the Monmouth Methodist church hall and MMT is actively seeking new members. To find out more visit www.monmouthmt.co.uk or find the group on Facebook.