No 7 — July 1977 Edited by Michael Walters
This proved to be a very enjoyable evening; it was a good, solid, bright and sparkling traditional Pinafore. It wasn't very original, but this didn't seem to matter. There is not really a great deal you can do with Pinafore; I maintain those productions that do try to do things with it usually end up just being gimmicky. Musically it was very sound, except for "A British Tar", which rather came unstuck. David Manifold (Ralph) was in fine voice, and was probably the most moving Ralph I have seen, I cannot recall any one else who could have reached such heights of true emotion in the Act 1 finale. David is always at his best when he is acting opposite Pat, and this was a piece of perfect casting for both of them. What can I say about his singing that I haven't said before? Actually the same is true of Pat Manifold’s Josephine, gliding about the stage with royal bearing, her top notes glittering like stars. Charles Davies (Corcoran) has a lovely voice, but no idea how to act. He stood firmly with his feet apart all the time, and his hands folded behind his back. I was afterwards told that this was due to excessive nerves. Barbara Fennell was a fine Buttercup, though her voice did not seem to be as beautiful as I had heard it before. David Johnson was an old-fashioned Long John Silver style Deadeye, slightly corny, perhaps, but delivered with such elan that one couldn't help but enjoy it. He sang sonorously as usual. David Churchill as Sir Joseph was being typically David Churchill, oh so typically David Churchill, scampering about, kicking his heels in the air and nodding his head - a head which seemed to bounce about with a life of its own. It was more or less what I expected. MICHAEL WALTERS
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