DAUNTLESS DICK DEADEYE
A New Version of HMS Pinafore
Other London Reviews:"In these grim times, a brisk ride aboard the tune-stuffed HMS PINAFORE is just the thing to lift sagging spirits. Ian Talbot's irresistibly jaunty new production, boasting more Union Jacks and patriotic sentiment per square metre than VE Day, is quite the jolliest show around ... Like the song says, 'Give three loud cheers and one cheer more' for this heartening fillip."
FIONA MOUNTFORD, EVENING STANDARD
"The most blissfull evening of tuneful and nautical joy to reach London since the National's ... revival of 'Anything Goes.' A 'new version' of Gilbert & Sullivan's greatest hit ... (with) an enlarged starring role for musical veteran Gary Wilmot as raconteur seaman Dick Deadeye ... An evening's entertainment of vintage quality."
JOHN THAXTER, BRITISH TEATRE GUIDE
"Gunn (from 'Treasure Island') would have been deliriously happy on the HMS Pinafore ... A wonderfully entertaining version by Herbert Appleman."
REBECCA TYRREL, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH
"Ian Talbot's brisk and buoyant revival of HMS Pinafore, unleash(ed) the kind of gusto usually reserved for greeting an old friend just returned from overseas."
DOMINIC CAVENDISH, DAILY TELEGRAPH
"Thanks to a libretto that has been extensively revised by Herbert Appleman ... (this production of Pinafore) rescues a show that has become mired in tradition and (gives) it a fresh and refreshing lick of energy ... A delightful evening."
MARK SHENTON, STAGE ONLINE
"Achieves that touch of ecstasy that is the sina qua non of all good musicals."
MICHAEL BILLINGTON, GUARDIAN
"In this lively new version .. Appleman's updated script works well ... I'm sure Gilbert would have approved."
DAVID DILLARD, DAILY MAIL
"It is hard to resist such a well-sung and vivaciously delivered staging ... A treat."
SARAH HEMMING, FINANCIAL TIMES
"Ian Talbot's ... production works by having its tongue placed firmly inside its rouged cheek ... The new libretto, updated by Herbert Appleman to wake up Gilbert's satire, helps as well ... An intoxicating production (that) provides badly needed escapism in this hideous political climate ... The whole audience is flushed with ... infectious joie de vivre."
RACHEL HALLIBURTON, TIME OUT