This comic opera by Gilbert and Sullivan is a satirical exploration of class distinctions, romance, and naval traditions in Victorian England. On the British Royal Navy ship H.M.S. Pinafore, Captain Corcoran commands a disciplined crew, along with his daughter Josephine and Ralph Rackstraw, a lowly sailor. As romance buds between Josephine and Ralph, her father plans to marry her off to a pompous bureaucrat named Sir Joseph Porter.

Ralph and Josephine seek to overcome the obstacles of class, family expectations, and shocking revelations. H.M.S. Pinafore is a delightful blend of comedy, music, and social commentary, exploring themes of love and equality in a whimsical setting on the high seas.

This production will be a semi-staged, concert version with limited sets, costumes, and staging. The Theatre Festival previously presented Gilbert & Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance in this format in 2017, and it was a smashing success!