English National Opera's HMS Pinafore is a sidesplitting send-up of Gilbert and Sullivan's classic musical, which tackles topics that are still pertinent today. The 2021 revival, staged by Cal McCrystal, brings a fresh wave of physical comedy to the show, drawing inspiration from the Victorian music hall era and 1970s British comedy.
A clever prologue introduces an arts swap scheme between ENO's chorus member and TV presenter Michael Portillo, while Mel Giedroyc, known for Bake Off fame, takes on two roles in a hilarious display of comedic prowess.
The show's sets and costumes are faithful to the original period, with Takis' designs and Tim Mitchell's lighting bringing the characters to life. The cast is equally impressive, with standout performances from Neal Davies as Sir Joseph Porter, Rhonda Browne as Buttercup, and Trevor Eliot Bowes as Dick Deadeye.
Giedroyc shines as Aunt Melanie and Josephine, delivering a string of hilarious one-liners, while Matthew Kofi Waldren brings the score to life with its witty humor and catchy melodies. The ENO chorus is on fine form throughout, tackling challenging choreography with ease.
Overall, this irreverent and entertaining production of HMS Pinafore is a great way to experience Gilbert and Sullivan's classic musical, updated for modern audiences.
A clever prologue introduces an arts swap scheme between ENO's chorus member and TV presenter Michael Portillo, while Mel Giedroyc, known for Bake Off fame, takes on two roles in a hilarious display of comedic prowess.
The show's sets and costumes are faithful to the original period, with Takis' designs and Tim Mitchell's lighting bringing the characters to life. The cast is equally impressive, with standout performances from Neal Davies as Sir Joseph Porter, Rhonda Browne as Buttercup, and Trevor Eliot Bowes as Dick Deadeye.
Giedroyc shines as Aunt Melanie and Josephine, delivering a string of hilarious one-liners, while Matthew Kofi Waldren brings the score to life with its witty humor and catchy melodies. The ENO chorus is on fine form throughout, tackling challenging choreography with ease.
Overall, this irreverent and entertaining production of HMS Pinafore is a great way to experience Gilbert and Sullivan's classic musical, updated for modern audiences.
. The 2021 revival seems to have brought a fresh energy to the show without totally altering its charm. Love how Mel Giedroyc is making us laugh with her two roles, and the sets and costumes are super nostalgic. Neal Davies as Sir Joseph Porter is also on point 
. But what really caught my eye was the ENO chorus - they're absolutely killing it! The choreography might be challenging, but they make it look effortless 
. All in all, a fantastic production that's perfect for fans of Gilbert and Sullivan or just looking for some old-school comedy 
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. I mean, Mel Giedroyc is absolute perfection as both Aunt Melanie and Josephine - she's got me dying laughing every time 
. And the cast is just top-notch, with Neal Davies absolutely owning it as Sir Joseph Porter 
. The sets and costumes are so on point too, bringing the whole Victorian era to life in a way that feels both nostalgic and modern. I'm already planning my ticket for next week - don't miss out on this hilarious and entertaining show! 
, it was like watching a funny old-school show with some fresh jokes thrown in 
. The cast is amazing btw, especially Neal Davies as Sir Joseph Porter - he's hilarious 
. Overall, this production is a masterclass in comedy and music, it's a must-see for anyone who loves Gilbert and Sullivan 
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! I loved how they updated the music hall era and 70s British comedy vibes into the show, it's so fresh and funny 
. The cast is amazing too, especially Neal Davies as Sir Joseph Porter - he's got some seriously hilarious one-liners 
especially Mel Giedroyc, she's hilarious in those two roles 
and made it fresh again for a modern audience 
. The cast was really talented, especially Mel Giedroyc - she had some amazing one-liners that left the whole audience laughing 
. Still, overall I'd say it's a great way to experience HMS Pinafore and bring it into the 21st century 
Mel Giedroyc as Aunt Melanie and Josephine is a masterclass in comedy - I was crackin' up every time she's on stage! 
And Neal Davies as Sir Joseph Porter? Iconic performance, dude! 
. This revival is all about poking fun at the establishment, but is it just a clever ruse? I mean, think about it, Michael Portillo gets to play himself in the prologue, but who's really behind the scenes pulling those strings? And have you seen Mel Giedroyc's performances? She's like a puppet on strings, delivering one-liners that are almost too perfect 
, it was like they were trying to play a Gilbert & Sullivan song but ended up making silly meows instead 
, and Mel Giedroyc's dual roles had me dying laughing 
. It's a must-watch for anyone looking for a lighthearted night out 
, and Matthew Kofi Waldren's energy on stage was infectious 
! And now with this new revival of HMS Pinafore, I'm low-key hoping it'll bring more folks to the opera scene 
. I mean, who wouldn't want a dose of retro British comedy and witty humor? 
They're like the Beatles of classical music! And with this production, I'm expecting it to break some records too... just check out the box office numbers for other ENO shows - they're consistently raking it in 
. The cast's diverse demographic is also a major win, showing that opera isn't just for a specific crowd anymore 
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This revival is like the perfect mashup of old-school comedy & modern musical theatre. Can't wait to see the ratings and reviews for this production!
, and the whole cast is firing on all cylinders 
️! Takis' sets and costumes bring back the charm of the original era 
, while Matthew Kofi Waldren's score is catchy as heck 
I ALSO LOVED HOW THEY INTEGRATED THE ARTS SWAP SCHEME INTO THE PROLOGUE - SO CLEVER!!! 
. But what really impressed me was how they managed to make the original Gilbert and Sullivan score feel fresh and modern at the same time