Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Monday 1 October 1956, page 4


'HMS Pinafore' trio win four encores

By KEITH MANZIE I

Soprano Helen Roberts was in her very best voice as the fair Josephine, the captain's

daughter, in "H.M.S. PINAFORE" at HER MAJESTY'S on Saturday night-final production of the current season of the Gilbert and Sullivan company.

Her liquid, perfectly controlled singing was heard to advantage In her Act 11 solo,

"The Hours Creep On Apace." It was the outstanding vocal contribution to the show.

Miss Roberts was also in line form in the sprightly trio with Eric Thornton and Grahame Clifford, "Never Mind the Why or Where

fore."

Colorfully dressed and attractively mounted "Pinafore" was a gap and generally pleasing performanee.

It was notable (in addition to Miss Roberts' attrac

tive work) for giving Grah-j ame Clifford liis best role'

to date as Sir Joseph Porter and for a crisp and dapper performance by Eric Thornton as Captain Cor

coran.

The little we saw of a more-restrained Jane Mar

tin, as Hebe, was also pleasing. Richard Watson was a breezy Bill Bobstay; Richard Walker a satisfactorily menacing Dick Deadeyc; and Muriel Brunskill was. more relaxed than in previous roles as a bouncy Little Buttercup. Terence O'Donoghue looked the clean-cut Englishman, Ralph Rackstraw, to the life.