Shows
HMS Pinafore

HMS Pinafore

Tams-Witmark Music Library, Inc.
A comic opera set in 1860 on the Quarterdeck of the HMS Pinafore

Premiere Date

1878

By

W. S. Gilbert, book - Arthur Sullivan, music

Tracy Notes About This Show

We offer costumes that are in the best tradition of the D'Oyly Carte company. On occasion, our garments may even have come from that London collection, since we were fortunate to be able to acquire some before the company was closed in the 1980's.

Plot Synopsis

The crew of H.M.S. Pinafore, a sailing vessel in Portsmouth harbor, are interrupted at work by the arrival of Little Butttercup, a Portsmouth Bumboat woman who inquires into the forlorn appearance of Ralph (pronounced Rafe) Rackstraw, A.B. who is hopelessly in love with the Captain's daughter, Josephine, who is promised to Sir Joseph Porter, the First Lord of the Admiralty and does not welcome his attentions. She informs her father of her love for Ralph. Josephine's small measure of pride drives Ralph to attempted suicide, an act which precipitates her affections and they agree to steal off at night and marry on shore. Dick Deadeye, the unpopular member of the crew, acquaints the Captain of the intentions and the flight is stopped. When Ralph boasts of his love and status as an Englishman, the Captain is driven to profanity. Sir Joseph sends him to his cabin in disgrace and orders Ralph away on hearing of his love for Josephine. Little Buttercup enters and confesses that, when practicing "baby farming" as a young woman she mixed up Ralph and the Captain as babies. Thus the Captain now becomes the common seaman and Ralph in his new capacity as Captain can take Josephine as his bride.
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