QUALITY MUSICALS for SCHOOLS and THEATERS

Plays and Musicals for Classes, Touring Companies,
and Community Theatre Groups at affordable prices.
Modular Time Lengths Available-Short, Med, Long

H.M.S. Pinafore

GILBERT AND SULLIVAN

We have found the works of Gilbert and Sullivan to be perfect material for young people. They are basically staged cartoons combining wit and humor in an intelligent, stylistic presentation that young actors love to perform.
Miriam Jessie Butler has adapted each one of these operettas into play form so it can be performed without music. Simply by purchasing a copy of The Schirmer Vocal Score from a local music store, songs can be optionally added in the indicated places.
The Gilbert & Sullivan operettas were originally written to contain two-thirds music and one-third dialogue. Ms. Butler’s versions have been adapted to contain one-third music (if used) and the dialogue has been expanded to make up two-thirds more in the style of Broadway musicals. The short & medium time lengths are expanded with music.

This delightfully witty work takes place entirely on board Her Majesty’s Ship, The H.M.S. Pinafore. Captain Corcoran is in charge of the sailors, and his nine daughters, who also live on board. Captain Corcoran is at his wit’s end trying to discipline his large family and has already gone through a bevy of governesses. And on top of everything, his eldest daughter, Josephine, who is promised in marriage to the pompous and self-centered Sir Joseph, has fallen in love with Ralph Rackstraw, a common sailor.
Captain Corcoran is adamant that all his daughters marry within their high rank, until . . . until Buttercup, a common bumboat woman, tells her secret. Captain Corcoran and Ralph Rackstraw were switched at birth!