H.M.S. Pinafore
Gilbert and Sullivan are the undisputed masters of comic operetta and the proud parents of the modern musical. That their works are more in demand today than when they were created over a century ago is ample proof of their lasting brilliance.
We are pleased to offer reduced orchestrations based on the D'Oyly Carte originals for productions of H.M.S. PINAFORE, THE MIKADO, or THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE.
H. M. S. PINAFORE answers the burning question of who, among equals, is the most equal, but only when the men of the mismatched couples discover they were switched in their cradles as infants. Obviously the authors will stop at nothing to delight and amuse - and again they succeed!
Cast Size: Small (1-10) • Medium (5-21) • Large (14+). Vocal Demands: Easy • Moderate. Dance Requirements: Some Dancing Required • Minimal. Good For: Elementary School • High School • College/University • Amateur/Community • Professional Theatre • Religious Organization.
Participate in the R&H Online Community.Leave comments or talk with other fans in the forum!
About The Show
Production Info
To request the rights to make merchandise for this show email brian.sherman@rnh.com.
Fan Info:
I had a, well, magical experience on Saturday night. Andy Einhorn, the indefatigable conductor and musical director of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA, invited me to sit in the orchestra pit of the Broadway Theatre during the performance. Because the pit is big enough, there is a space where, once the orchestra members are settled in their seats, a chair can be placed safely, between the bows of the violins and the constant instrument shifting of the woodwind section. Read more →
With the 9 Tony Award nominations for Rodgers + Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA announced this morning, once again Rodgers and Hammerstein stand tall and proud among the best of Broadway.
Read more →
Read more →
As I am now based in London, where Rodgers & Hammerstein is launching our own European theatrical licensing division – R&H Theatricals Europe – I had the great pleasure of hopping down to Madrid for 24 hours in late December, to see SONRISAS…, meet the cast and equally hardworking crew, and revel in a production of the timeless musical that seems to “bloom and grow forever” – and everywhere.
Read more →
Read more →
January 01, 1970
January 01, 1970
January 01, 1970
"We shall laugh at the jokes and smile at the social satire, but behind both are some extraordinary music and Arthur Sullivan's talent for pushing irresistible melody into long, rushing sequences that never lose their equilibrium. This is not superficial stuff." — Bernard Holland, The New York Times, January 01, 2006
"A charmer... alive with the music and lyrics that influenced theatrical composers and lyricists through the first half of the twentieth century." — Elyse Sommer, CurtainUp, January 01, 1989
Song #
Song Name
Character Name
Play
Other Versions
1
We Sail The Ocean Blue
Chorus
2
Hail! Men-O'-War's Mate
Mrs. Cripps
2
But Tell Me Who's The Youth
Mrs. Cripps and Boatswain's Mate
3
The Nightingale Sighed For The Moon's Bright Ray
Ralph and Chorus
3
A Maiden Fair To See
Ralph
4
My Gallant Crew, Good Morning
Captain Corcoran
6
Over The Bright Blue Sea
Chorus Of Women
8
Now Give Three Cheers
Sir Joseph Porter, Captain Corcoran, Cousin Hebe and Chorus
9
For I Hold That On The Seas
Sir Joseph Porter, Cousin Hebe and Chorus
10
A British Tar Is A
Ralph, Carpenter's Mate and Boatswain's Mate
12
Can I Survive This Overbearing (Finale)
Ralph, Deadeye, Cousin Hebe, Josephine and Chorus
14
Fair Moon, To Thee I Sing
Captain Corcoran
16
The Hours Creep On Apace
Josephine
17
Never Mind The Why And Wherefore
Josephine, Captain Corcoran and Sir Joseph Porter
18
Kind Captain, I've Important Information
Captain Corcoran and Deadeye
21
A Many Years Ago
Mrs. Cripps and Chorus
22
Oh Joy! Oh Raprure Unforeseen
When Gilbert and Sullivan decided that their fourth collaboration would take place on a ship, Gilbert took his task seriously. He spent a day of research exploring the tall ships docked at Portsmouth, England, sketching the H.M.S Thunderer, the H.M.S Victory, and the H.M.S. St. Vincent. From his sketches he built a model of the deck of the fictional H.M.S. Pinafore, representing all the characters with colored blocks. Using this model, he planned out all the blocking before the show was even cast.
Gilbert was racked with anxiety about the production. He would stay up all night writing and rewriting the libretto; once rehearsals had begun, he spent all day and all night at the theater. His gout was acting up, which made him irritable. He was terrified that H.M.S. PINAFORE would flop.
And indeed, when the show opened on May 25, 1878 at the Opera Comique, it looked as though Gilbert's fears would come true. A heat wave was sweeping London, and a crowded, stuffy theater was the last place people wanted to be. (In the days before air conditioning, a heat wave could absolutely kill a show.) Critics were generally favorable to H.M.S. PINAFORE, but not effusive; the Daily Telegraph predicted that it would “soon subside into nothingness.” Discouraged, the producers posted closing notices and relinquished the show's rights to Gilbert, Sullivan, and producer Richard D'Oyly-Carte.
It was Sullivan who came up with the idea that would save their show. Every night, he conducted a series called the Promenade Concerts; one night, he slipped in an orchestral selection from H.M.S. PINAFORE. It was a smash success, and soon everyone wanted to see the show. By the end of August, every performance was sold out. Gilbert and Sullivan had created their first blockbuster, which ran for a total of 571 performances.
Then came the drama. The former producers, who had lost confidence in the show and given up the rights to it, were angered that the show was suddenly making money—and that they were getting none of it. To get revenge, they hired thugs to invade the stage during a performance and steal all the scenery! Luckily, the show's stagehands bravely fought off the thugs; the scenery was saved, and the show went on.
Today, H.M.S. PINAFORE remains one of Gilbert and Sullivan's most enduringly popular operas. Except for THE MIKADO, it has more recordings than any of their other works. Many of its lines (“What, never?” “No, never!” “What, never?” “Well...hardly ever!”) have become familiar catchphrases, and it is not uncommon to see the opera referenced in popular culture. (Who can forget the time Bart Simpson stalled his would-be murderer by convincing him to sing the entire score of H.M.S. PINAFORE?)
The Daily Telegraph had to eat its words. Far from disappearing into nothingness, H.M.S. PINAFORE is one for the ages.
Vocal Range of Characters:
Playbill VIP:
MAKE YOUR OWN PLAYBILL! Playbill VIP allows you to create your very own Playbill Program. We have provided Playbill with all of the credits, song listings, musical numbers and more so that most of the work is already done for you. Just add your productions details, photos of the cast and share it with all of your friends. Learn more: www.playbillvip.com
STANDARD
- Orchestration Package (14 Books)
- 1 – FULL SCORE (CONDUCTOR)
- 1 – FLUTE (Doubling Piccolo)
- 1 – OBOE
- 1 – CLARINET (Doubling Alto Clarinet)
- 1 – HORN
- 1 – TRUMPET (Optional Alto Trumpet)
- 1 – TROMBONE
- 2 – PERCUSSION (see list below)
- 1 – VIOLIN I (Divisi)
- 1 – VIOLIN II ( Divisi)
- 1 – VIOLA
- 1 – CELLO
- 1 – BASS
- Rehearsal Set (22 Books)
- 20 – Libretto/Vocal Books
- 1 – Logo CD
- 2 – PIANO VOCAL SCORE
- 0 – Digital Logo
ADDITIONAL
- Libretto/Vocal Books 10 pack
- 10 – Libretto/Vocal Books
- PINAFORE - PRE-PRODUCTION PACKAGE
- 1 – Libretto/Vocal Books
- 1 – PIANO VOCAL SCORE
3 Women
6 Men
FEATURED
2 Men
ENSEMBLE
Singing, dancing ensemble consisting of the First Lord's Sisters, his Cousins, his Aunts, Sailors, Marines, etc. - as desired.
SPECIFIC CHARACTERS
The R. Hon. Sir Joseph Porter, KCB - First Lord of the Admiralty
Captain Corcoran - Commanding H.M.S. Pinafore
Ralph Rackstraw - Able Seaman
Dick Deadeye - Boatswain's Mate
Bill Bobstay - Boatswain's Mate
Bob Becket - Carpenter's Mate
Tom Tucker - Midshipmite
Sergeant of Marines
Josephine - The Captain's Daughter
Cousin Hebe - Sir Joseph's First Cousin
Mrs. Cripps / Little Buttercup - A Portsmouth Bumboat Woman
Chorus of First Lord's Sisters, his Cousins, his Aunts, Sailors, Marines, etc.
Materials Notes
Orchestration by Peter Murray is based on the D'Oyly Carte originals.
(2 Players) Cymbals, Bass Drum, Side Drum, Triangle, Snare Drum, Timpani (2)
Media Rights
Promotional
1. The Promotional Video shall be recorded and shown for the sole purposes of advertising your licensed production of the Play. For such a video, R&H allows theatres to film up to 10 minutes of total footage taken at either a performance or rehearsal (i.e.: 10 minutes of scripted moments.)
2. The Promotional Video may not include more than (i) 1 minute from any song or (ii) 3 minutes, in the aggregate, of footage of copyrighted material from the Play.
3. The Promotional Video may not include any sponsorship or underwriting without the prior consent of all R&H.
4. The Promotional Video must be submitted to R&H by sending the source video and video link to editor@rnh.com.
5. The Promotional Video must include the following: "Rights courtesy of Rodgers & Hammerstein, www.rnh.com"
6. Upon approval by R&H of the Promotional Video, you agree not to make any alterations in the approved copyrighted material used therein and you agree to obtain the prior written approval of R&H for any other use of the Promotional Video not specifically granted herein.
7. Upon termination of the Term, you shall cease to have any rights to use the Promotional Video including, without limitation, in connection with a future production of the Play, and shall immediately remove its content from any and all websites on the Internet.
8. You may not use a commercially available recording.
9. Any additional promotional rights must be approved by R&H by contactingTheatre@rnh.com.
Archival
1. Subject to the information provided in Licensee’s application and payment of the fee as set forth in Paragraph 3 herein, Licensee shall have the right to create a single copy of the Video for internal archival, private viewing purposes at Licensee’s address only and shall not be re-copied, distributed or otherwise exploited, in whole or in part, in any media now known or hereafter developed without the prior written approval of R&H. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Video shall not be (i) sold to anyone (ii) telecast by any television station or network, including, without limitation, any local cable station or (iii) distributed, exhibited or otherwise exploited over the Internet or as part of any online auction.
2. Licensee agrees to include the following language at the beginning of the Video:
©Year By R&H Theatricals. This production was videotaped by special arrangement with R&H Theatricals for archival purposes only. All Rights Reserved.
WARNING: Federal law provides severe civil and criminal penalties for the unauthorized reproduction, distribution or exhibition of copyrighted motion pictures, videotapes or videodiscs. Criminal copyright infringement is investigated by the FBI and may constitute a felony with a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison and/or a $250,000.00 fine.
This Video is provided to you for private, organizational and home viewing purposes only. By accepting the Video, you agree not to authorize or permit the Video to be copied, distributed, broadcast, telecast or otherwise exploited, in whole or in part, in any media now known or hereafter developed.
Distribution
1. Licensee shall have the right to create the Video and to make up to one hundred (100) copies of the Video for sale at cost to its Members for internal archival, private viewing purpose at Licensee’s address and for private, home-viewing purpose by Members, and shall not be re-copied, distributed or otherwise exploited, in whole or in part, in any media now known or hereafter developed without the prior written approval of R&H. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Video shall not be (i) sold to anyone other than the Members (ii) telecast by any television station or network, including, without limitation, any local cable station or (iii) distributed, exhibited or otherwise exploited over the Internet or as part of any online auction.
2. Licensee agrees to include the following language at the beginning of the Video:
©Year By R&H Theatricals. This production was videotaped by special arrangement with R&H Theatricals for archival purposes only. All Rights Reserved. WARNING: Federal law provides severe civil and criminal penalties for the unauthorized reproduction, distribution or exhibition of copyrighted motion pictures, videotapes or videodiscs. Criminal copyright infringement is investigated by the FBI and may constitute a felony with a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison and/or a $250,000.00 fine. This Video is provided to you for private, organizational and home viewing purposes only. By accepting the Video, you agree not to authorize or permit the Video to be copied, distributed, broadcast, telecast or otherwise exploited, in whole or in part, in any media now known or hereafter developed.
