HMS Pinafore Never Sung Better. What Never? Hardly Ever
Susan Stanley Carrol on a joyful, pacy version of Gilbert & Sullivan classic
John Griffiths as Sir Joseph Porter who is now an Admiral in the Queen's Navy. Picture: Hunter Collins Photography
May 9, 2026
‘Land Ahoy! Land Ahoy’, bellows the Bosun of H.M.S Pinafore and, wow, how has a ship berthed in the Tabard’s dry dock?
This production is based on Gilbert & Sullivan’s ‘H.M.S Pinafore’ and will be playing at the Theatre in the Tabard until Saturday 6 June.
The plot is based on a love triangle: Josephine (the Captain’s daughter) loves Ralph a very humble sailor. However, she is ‘the apple of the eye’ of the First Lord of the Admiralty, Sir Joseph Porter. He’s an over promoted, elderly idiot, whereas, the Hero, Ralph, is a young man with oodles of integrity. Ralph is unacceptable to Josephine’s father the formidable Captain Corcoran of H.M.S Pinafore. How does the character Little Buttercup help the young lovers?
Keith Strachan has directed a well polished, innovative musical production. He joined up with the inspirational Annemarie Lewis Thomas her spot on musical creativity was backed up by the lively choreography of the multi-talented Marissa Landy. They have created a feel-good show that I recommend you to go, go, go to during the merry month of May.
Marissa Landy’s performance dazzles: her infectious cheekiness whether playing the flute, dancing, or, crouched in a stage wing, peeping, at the action on the stage. She captivates the audience with her mischievous and exuberant smiles.
Altogether it is a five star production: the joy, the pace, the superb teamwork, the singing and dancing. Although, there will be Gilbert & Sullivan purists who will disagree, as well as others, who find it all a tad too predictable, and there is a flaw or two in the acting skills, not the singing skills, of the cast.
Our appealing heroine, Josephine, is played by Stevie Jennings-Adams. Her voice is sweetly sonorous and it resonates beautifully within the auditorium.
Finan McKinney (our hero, Ralph) is lovelorn and this is reflected in his beautiful, forget-me-not blue eyes that powerfully convey his passion and his sorrow.
I was delighted to watch the phenomenal John Griffiths, as Sir John Porter (seen last year in the ‘Mikado’). John is an actor and singer of excellent repute. Also, be ready to enjoy his hornpipe dance - he almost upstages Marissa! Not quite!
Gloria Acquaah-Harrison (Little Buttercup) bounces on to the stage with panache and power. A charismatic performer: her spicy songs include a pinch of gospel that lifts the original Gilbert & Sullivan arias to another level. She frolics and flirts ’naughtily’ with cast and audience bringing vim and vigour to the stage. Her glorious voice, also, floats to the rafters and, maybe, caused them shake a little.
Gloria Acquaah Harrison is poor Little Buttercup with panache and power. Picture: Hunter Collins Photography
Leopold Benedict (Captain Corcoran), Ryan Erikson Downey (Dick Deadeye) and Kieran Wynne (Bosun) are a very strong backbone of the chorus and for the 25 songs that are blasted each performance into the Bath Road and the Tabard Pub.
The glorious blue skies, and the well scrubbed decks of the set of H.M.S Pinafore cheered me before I even sat down. Who doesn’t like to be welcomed by blue skies?
If you want to select a specific seat in this small studio theatre please book them now. As the new hand supports on the central aisle have made it easier for people to reach the higher seats.
Susan Stanley-Carroll
Tickets start from £22.50. Running Time 2 hours including a 15 minute interval
Online booking is available at the theatre’s website.
Tabard Theatre is at 2 Bath Road, W4 1LW just next to Turnham Green tube station.
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