The English National Opera are now in rehearsals for Gilbert & Sullivan’s nautical love triangle opera HMS Pinafore, with guest star Mel Giedroyc joining the cast.
Directed by Cal McCrystal and with set and costumes designed by takis, the action of the opera is set aboard the eponymous Royal Navy warship – though the ship never actually leaves Portsmouth.
Taking up the baton is conductor Matthew Kofi Waldren, with Giedroyc leading the cast in her ENO debut in an acting role. Bass-baritone Neal Davis plays Rt Hon Sir Joseph Porter, the first Lord of the Admiralty, who is intended to marry Captain Corcoran’s daughter Josephine.
Bass-baritone John Savournin reprises the role of Captain Corcoran, having also appeared in the production’s 2021 premiere.
Starring as the Captain’s daughter Josephine, a romantic torn between duty and love, is South Korean soprano Henna Mun, in her principal role debut for ENO. Singing the role of Josephine (January 24, 29 and 31 matinee) is soprano Eleanor Sanderson-Nash, making her ENO debut.
Completing the love triangle is lowly deckhand Ralph Rackstraw, played by New Zealand tenor Thomas Atkins. Singing the role of cynical shipmate Dick Deadeye is Canadian bass Trevor Eliot Bowes, with Buttercup, a dockside vendor, played by New Zealand contralto Rhonda Browne.
Reprising her role as Sir Joseph’s cousin Hebe is mezzo-soprano Bethan Langford, baritone Marcus Farnsworth as the Boatswain and bass-baritone Nicholas Crawley as the Carpenter.
Set and costume design for HMS Pinafore is by takis and sound design is by Dominic Bilkey. Tim Mitchell is the production’s lighting designer, with Ian Jackson-French as the revival lighting designer. Lizzi Gee is the choreographer and Spencer Darlaston-Jones, who also appears on stage as a dancer and in a non-singing acting role, is the associate choreographer.
Gilbert & Sullivan’s comedic classic is known for its rollicking humour and sharp social satire, which pokes fun at the British class system. It premiered in London in 1878 and became Gilbert & Sullivan’s first major international success, running for 571 performances. It remains one of the duo’s most popular operas and includes some of the most popular operatic music in the world, which has featured in popular TV shows like The Simpsons and The West Wing.
HMS Pinafore opens on Thursday, December 4, 2025 for 12 performances at the London Coliseum: Dec 4, Jan 23, 24, 29, 31, Feb 4, 5 at 19.30. Dec 5, Jan 24, 31, Feb 7 at 15.00. Jan 29 at 14.00. Tickets here.
Top image: The Cast of ENO’s HMS Pinafore 2025, Rehearsal Images © Craig Fuller (image supplied)