When HMS Pinafore premiered in 1878, audiences would have appreciated a particularly topical lampoon skewering the First Lord of the Admiralty, WH Smith, a man who, much like Gilbert’s Sir Joseph Porter, ascended the greasy pole of politics without a shred of nautical experience. Smith’s name lives on in the newsagent chain, while English National Opera’s laugh-out-loud staging looks elsewhere for its targets in an energetic show that takes the idea of the running gag to a whole new level.
Rooted in its original period, Cal McCrystal’s 2021 staging is a homage to the slyly transgressive world of the Victorian music hall which, like love in Gilbert’s libretto, really did “level all ranks”. With additional material by McCrystal and Toby Davies, it also displays a good-natured affection for 1970s British comedy and the Carry On films in particular.
A prologue, delivered with deft comic timing by John Savournin, introduces an idea new to this revival. A reciprocal arts swap scheme, it seems, has shipped out an ENO chorus member to work on a travelogue with Michael Portillo, while Mel Giedroyc of Bake Off fame has been drafted in to take her place. In true Eric and Ernie fashion, she finds herself taking on two roles in a show she has barely rehearsed to frequently hilarious effect.
The revolving ship and vibrant costumes – smartly designed by Takis, slickly lit by Tim Mitchell – could have emerged from a D’Oyly Carte time capsule. What brings it up to date is McCrystal’s blizzard of physical comedy and a hard-working cast prepared to follow where he leads. There’s a host of double entendres, from poop decks and bulwarks to mermaid’s love pockets, breaststroke and stiff ones. At one point, with a spot-on Charles Hawtrey impression, a bespectacled sailor emerges from below deck to announce he’s just been finishing off Three Men in a Boat. Not every joke lands perfectly, but the hit rate is impressively high.
It’s a strong cast. Neal Davies’ impeccably sung Sir Joseph is a louche soak who struggles to pronounce his r’s (cue jokes about his exalted “rank”). Savournin’s amiable Capt Corcoran pals up nicely with Rhonda Browne’s matronly Buttercup. Henna Mun’s pert, brightly sung Josephine is the perfect foil for Thomas Atkins’ muscular, floppy haired Ralph, with Trevor Eliot Bowes as a deliciously hammy Dick Deadeye (cue an avalanche of dick jokes). The tireless Giedroyc is an engagingly anarchic presence throughout.
Matthew Kofi Waldren serves up the score with plenty of punch and the ENO chorus is on outstanding form, taking the considerable challenges thrown at them by Lizzi Gee’s gleeful choreography in their stride. When it’s firing on all cylinders, as in the barnstorming company hornpipe, this gloriously daffy Pinafore is a real crowd-pleaser.
• At London Coliseum until 7 February
