H. M. S. Pin-A-4 in Black single work   musical theatre   burlesque   humour  
Adaptation of H. M. S. Pinafore W. S. Gilbert , 1878 single work musical theatre
Issue Details: First known date: 1882... 1882 H. M. S. Pin-A-4 in Black
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Notes

  • A burlesque on Gilbert and Sullivan's popular operetta H. M. S. Pinafore; Or, The Lass that Loved a Sailor (1878), this version was advertised in Sydney Morning Herald as the 'first production of an extraordinary, exciting and extravagant extraction of Pinafore' (11 March 1882, p.2). The show had been staged the previous year in New Zealand, however.

    It is not clear whether it was also adapted from an earlier production written by Bent (staged as H.M.S. Pin-A-4 at St George's Hall in 1880 by Kelly and Leon's Minstrels) or if was an entirely new burlesque.

    A later production staged as H.M.S. Pinafore (In Black) by Frank Smith at the Alhambra Music Hall (Sydney) in 1889, while possibly founded on Bent's burlesque, nevertheless contains some different characters. The cast in the later production included, however, several long-time associates of Bent's, including J. S. Porter and Beaumont Read.

Production Details

  • 1881: Queen's Theatre, Dunedin (New Zealand); 27 Sept. -

    • Lessee R .G. Bachelder and W. Horace Bent; Manager R. G. Bachelder; Stage Manager W. Horace Bent; Advance Agent . J. Gardner.
    • Troupe: Bent and Bachelder's Revised and Reorganised Christy's Minstrels.
    • Cast incl. W. Horace Bent, C. S. Fredericks, William Ball,Beaumont Read, William Hugo, Edwin Rowley, Amy Rowe.
    • H.M.S. Pinafore-in-Black was likely staged a number of times in New Zealand during the troupe's tour (which continued into early 1882).

    1882: Opera House, Sydney, 11-25 March.

    • Lessee/Manager W. J. Wilson; Business Manager R .G. Bachelder; Stage Manager W. Horace Bent.
    • Troupe Bent and Bachelder's Christy's Anglo-American Minstrels.
    • Cast incl. W. Horace Bent (The Left Hon. Sir Joe Half-and Half, M.L.C.), H. A Williamson (Cap. Cork O'Ram), C. S. Fredericks (Ralph Haystack), William Ball (Dead Dickeye), Beaumont Read (Bob Billstray), G. Glider (Beck Bobbit), W. Leake (Tuck Tommer), Charles Hugo (Little Butter-tub), Sam Keenan (Hebe), William Hugo (Shebe), Amy Rowe (Josephine).

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

First known date: 1882
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Related Works

H. M. S. Pin-A-4 W. Horace Bent , 1880 single work musical theatre burlesque humour

A burlesque of the popular British comic opera H. M. S. Pinafore, or, The Lass that Loved a Sailor (1878), Kelly and Leon's version was advertised as having been specially adapted, localised, and 'paraphrased from Gilbert and Sullivan' by permission of J. C. Williamson's. Among the local allusions and topicalities targeted were the Exhibition and members of the Victorian parliament.

H. M. S. (Hopper Barge) Pin-A-4 W. Horace Bent , Hiscocks' Federal Minstrels , F. E. Hiscocks , 1885 single work musical theatre burlesque humour

A burlesque on Gilbert and Sullivan's popular operetta H. M. S. Pinafore; Or, The Lass that Loved a Sailor (1878). The Evening News (Sydney) records in its review of the 25 April performance:

The curtain rose on the deck scene from 'Pinafore,' but what a strange contrast with the original. The tars were represented by the typical plantation negro attired in most peculiar naval attire, while Captain 'Cork all o'er 'em' was the bean ideal of a quarter-deck officer, with the exception of his complexion. Considerable licence was taken in localising the opera, but the music incidental to its legitimate rendering was adhered to. The reception of Little Buttertub (Sam Keenan), and the advent of Sir Joseph Hop Bitters, C;M.G., and his sisters and his cousins and his aunts were provocative of much mirth. In the scene where Little Buttertub reveals her secret to the Captain, much amusement was caused by the tragic manner in which she im parted the dread intelligence 'that M'Elbone had purchased the Evening News, and was going to run it himself.' The Admiral was great fun in his love-making with Josephine (H. Carroll). The captain rendered 'Fair Moon to Thee I Sing' in a very pleasing manner; but attention was directed from the singer to the strange and erratic behavior of the moon and the efforts of Little Buttertub to capture it. Altogether the performance was most enjoyable, and from beginning to end was thoroughly appreciated by the audience (27 Aprril 1885, p.3).
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Note:
This entry has been sourced from research undertaken by Dr Clay Djubal into Australian-written popular music theatre (ca. 1850-1930). See also the Australian Variety Theatre Archive
Last amended 6 Mar 2015 07:51:02
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