TRIAL BY JURY & H.M.S. PINAFORE

Описание: TRIAL BY JURY
Based on a then current scandalous trial, the story concerns a broken engagement, with a bitter squabbling couple and the would be bride, Angelina, suing Edwin, her intended., for breach of promise of marriage, in a court overseen by a lustful judge.

She appears at the proceedings in her wedding gown accompanied by an entourage of her bridesmaids. Edwin pleads his case to judge and jury arguing that "One cannot eat breakfast all day nor is it the act of a sinner, when breakfast is taken away to turn his attention to dinner. And it's not in the range of belief to look upon him as a glutton, who when he is tired of beef determines to tackle the mutton." Angelina's attorney details to the jury the anguish that she has suffered at the cruel and insensitive hands of her intended. And the comely, pouting and flirtatious Angelina has clearly won the hearts of both the judge and the jury. Edwin suggests that he marry her today and marry another lady tomorrow. But Angelina's attorney points out that such conduct has been illegal since the reign of James II thus creating a nice dilemma for all to sort out.

H.M.S. PINAFORE
NOTE: This video of our 2012 production of Pinafore contains footage from two separate performances on show weekend. Nathan Rodriguez, Captain Corcoran for the Friday evening performance lost his voice after that show. Laurie Weissbrot played the role of Corcoran for the remaining performances. In this composite video Laurie is playing Corcoran in Act I and Nathan playing Corcoran in Act II.

Ralph Rackstraw, a young foremast hand on the H.M.S. Pinafore is hopelessly in love with Captain Corcoran's daughter, Josephine. Unbeknownst to Ralph, Josephine is also rather smitten with him. But Ralph is hopelessly below her station. And she has been promised in marriage to Sir Joseph Porter, K.C.B. the ruler of the Queen's navy.

Undeterred, Ralph, with the support of his crew mates, is determined to let Josephine know how he feels. When he does, she secretly swoons, but rejects him for his audacity, and reminds him to "remember what you are!"

Crushed by Josephine's rejection, Ralph informs his crew mates that he intends to take his own life rather than live without her. Just as he is about to shoot himself, Josephine intercedes, telling him to stay his hand; that she loves him.

With love now requited, the pair, with the help of the crew, plot to steal ashore that very night and get married. But one of the crew, the ugly and curmudgeonly Dick Deadeye, is intent on foiling the couples plan. He informs Captain Corcoran of a certain intimate relation between the merry maiden and the tar.

As all attempt to sneak ashore, Captain Corcoran confronts Josephine and the men. He reminds her of her station and tells her that his crew, "though foes they could thump any are scarcely fit company my daughter for you." And he chastens Ralph telling him that he has gone too far; adding that "to seek your captain's child in marriage; why damme it's too bad."

Captain Corcoran's oath shocks the crew and Sir Joseph and his sisters, cousins and aunts who appear just in time to witness this reprobation. Sir Joseph has previously warned all that the use of such harsh language is indefensible and will not be tolerated. He orders Captain Corcoran to get to his cabin at once.

Sir Joseph then turns to Ralph to ask him what led to such a confrontation with his captain. Ralph explains that he and Josephine are in love and were intending to marry that very night. Sir Joseph becomes furious when he learns this and orders the men to throw Ralph into the ships brig for such unabashed insolence.

Sympathetic to Ralphs plight, and with an eye on wedding Captain Corcoran, Little Buttercup tells all that things are not as they seem. She goes on to explain that when she was young and charming, she practiced "baby farming." And two of the babies she tended were Ralph and the Captain. But they were switched at birth. So Ralph is really Captain Corcoran, and Corcoran really a child of humble parentage.

Learning that she is just a sailor's daughter Sir Joseph calls off his marriage to Josephine. His station raised as the Pinafore's new captain, Ralph is now free to marry Josephine. Corcoran, in his greatly reduced station as a common sailor, accepts Buttercup as his bride. Sir Joseph, now alone, wonders aloud who will take care of him in his dotage. HIs cousin Hebe cheerfully volunteers to marry him owning that she will see to all his care in his declining years. All rejoice with resounding cheer, celebrating in song their proud heritage as Englishmen.
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Videography by Larry Engler, Just Shoot Me Videos
http://www.justshootmevideo.com/

Song subtitles: John Freedman