Search - Gilbert & Sullivan - H.M.S. Pinafore / Marshall, Howerd, Jones, Opera World on DVD

An enjoyable performance

Yi-Peng | Singapore | 04/30/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I know that some Gilbert and Sullivan fanatics may complain loudly about tis video, but I am going to say how fantastic this production of Pinafore really is. Peter Marshal, despite some small imperfections in his role of Captain Corcoran, is a well-versed singer-actor. Equally up to his calibre is Frankie Howerd's Sir Joseph Porter. Howerd in his part ad-libs his dialogue not because he didn't learn his lines, but because he brings out the character of Sir Joseph perfectly well. He makes the character feel like a person with scrambled eggs in his brain, and I'm sure that his portrayal can spark off a laugh or two. The two lovers and Little Buttercup, excellently played, help to match those two principals, and the choruses of sailors and female relatives are very supportive. Alexander Faris's musical direction is a sheer delight form first bar to last. The only minor quibble is about the sound-quality. It seems so low-quality and the mixing is not well done. However, this does not detract from such an outstanding performance of this G&S great and this will be sure to find a happy fome in any classical video library."

Excellent, solid production of HMS Pinafore!

Lucretia W. Grindle | Boston, Massachusetts | 12/04/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Coming from a family of Gilbert and Sullivan fanatics, I've watched basically every video version and this is definitely one of the best. The Brits do this like nobody else. My family loved it because of the fabulous production that captures the period, but still makes it feel like an operetta, not a movie. The wonderful sense of silliness and fun is put across without losing the integrity of the music, and the acting is great (sadly a rarity in G&S). Peter Marshall must be the definitive Captain Corcoran! Not everything about this is perfect, but its very close. Wholeheartedly recomended - we're trying the others in this series and really looking forward to them for Christmas."

A disappointment to G&S fans

J. E. Hissrich | Pittsburgh, PA, USA | 02/11/2002

(2 out of 5 stars)

"As a Gilbert & Sullivan fan (and a member of the Pittsburgh Savoyards G&S company), I was thrilled to learn that there is a series of videos of most G&S shows. But the series is very disappointing, and Pinafore is a good example of the series. Peter Marshall is a poor choice for Captain Corcoran, and Frankie Howerd is an incomprehensible choice for Sir Joseph Porter, KCB. Howerd appears to be making up the role as he goes along. The singing is credible (although far from the best I've heard), and the dancing is very good. But the staging is poor, and the entire effect is that the fun of a good Gilbert & Sullivan show is lost."

Brilliant rendition--Could hardly be better!

J. E. Hissrich | 11/27/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the best presentation of Pinafore and of Gilbert and Sullivan that my family has ever seen. The casting is a work of genius, with a felicitous mixing of singers (for the operatic parts),comedians (for the comic parts) and dancers. The London Symphony Orchestra's music is excellent, as is the singing of the Ambrosian Opera Chorus. The choreography is fast-paced, creative, and amusing. Dick Deadeye, Buttercup, lord of the admiralty, captain, lovers, crew, and "cousins and aunts" all come colorfully and hilariously to life. There is never a dull moment. Entertaining, delightful, and fast-moving from beginning to end. We watch it over and over. We recommend it wholeheartedly and without reservation. There is no better introduction to Gilbert and Sullivan."