The Daily Free Press--April 6, 1971

Buttercup Bounces Back by Besty Nichol, Staff Writer

Gilbert and Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore, presented by the B.U. Savoyards, is utterly delightful--a spirit soarer. Precision timing of the classic love story involving classic heroes and heroines, catalyzes a performance that explodes with dance, music and gaiety. The smallness of the SFAA Concert HAll helps to further an unmistakable unity between the audience and performers. Excitement sweeps down the aisles as the rustle of the sweetly smelling members of the chorus float on stage in their lang brilliant-hooped skirts. Despite a few slipped lines, stiffly-dancing sailors, and a general tenseness among the performers early in the first act, the audience was enamoured of the merriement before them. By the end of the first act, a loss of self overcame both actors and audience; performers were truly enjoying themselves. Happily, the audience was clapping with the beat of the dances. Cries of "Bravo" and "More" during the dance scenes echoed festivity The comic opera, done in the Doyle(sic)-Carte tradition, takes place on the quarterdeck of the H.M.S. Pinafore, 1870, in two acts--Morning and Night. The gala ship setting is well designed; the lighting quite effective. Naturally, the orchestra, comprised of musicians from BU, the Conservatory of Music, and the greater Boston area, supports the opera well. The exaggerated nature of the stereotypical characters thoroughly charms the audience. Class pride forces the dignified Captain Corcoran (Thomas Comer) to hide his affection for the rolly-polly(sic) Little Buttercup. His position as captain of the ship forces him to ignore the peddlar woman, despite the rutsy appeal Sheila-Gale(sic) Schneider gives the part of Little Buttercup. Accordingly, social status prevents the captain's daughter Josephine, from marrying the man of her dreams--Ralph Rackstraw, a common sailor. Richard Royteck, as Josephine's lover, plays the part convincingly, although, he is more likely to be remembered for his fine tenor voice. Soprano Linda Houpt, as the wide-eyed, red-lipped, voluptuous Josephine, returns melodious love confessions with her equally fine voice. Matters are complicated when Josephine plans to elope with Ralph on the same day that she is to be affianced to the comical character of the Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Porter, K.C.B., First Lord of the Admiralty. At the same time, Sir Joseph is boasting of his greatness and asking to be treated with politeness and dignity, the audience is roaring at this zany character. Albert Sherman as Sir Joseph is superb. His every twittering notion, affected a manner of speech, and swish of his handkercheif become the focal point of attention, subject of laughter. Thanks to the doings of "poor little, sweet, Little Buttercup," things do, of course, work out in the end.

Chalkdust (Northeastern University)--April 16, 1971

H.M.S. Pinafore at B.U. by Raymond Mortlock '73, Entertainment Staff

Score another triumphant production for the Boston University Savoyards with the Gilbert and Sullivan perennial favorite H.M.S. Pinafore with the performers enjoying every minute: possible exception of Terrence Tobias whose back should ache playing the role of the humped-back Dick Deadeye. The story of the operetta deals with class distinction, for Josephine, daughter of the Captain of the Pinafore, is in love with one of the crew--while the Captain himself is in love with a peddler-woman, Buttercup--he hopes to have Josephine marry Sir Joseph, First Lord of the Admiralty, and thus socially ascend to a higher deck) pun intended--if Gilbert and Sullivan can do it, so can I). The efforts of seaman Rackstraw, played by Richard Royteck, to win Josephine despite her devotion to father and tradition, seem to web and flow with the tide; finally he convinces her to elope with him that evening but they are discovered and Rackstraw is sent to the dungeon by Sir Joseph. Buttercup comes to the rescue, however, with her long-kept secret. Many years ago she had been a nurse to two infants (would you believe, the Captain and Rackstraw?!) and mixed the babies up so Rackstraw should be the Captain and vice versa. The error is rectified as each reappears on stage in the other's costume. All this puts Rackstraw on the same level as Josie and they are now able to wed--likewise for Captain and Buttercup. With everyone paired but Sir Joseph, and as he declares he cannot live alone, his cousin Hebe swears to care for him always and they will wed. All's Well That Ends Well--as another chap once said--and so it does here. But we, the audience, are reluctant to see it end, for much gaiety and merriment has poured forth all evening from a well-rehearsed, well-suited cast with beautifully trained voices. Josephine, Linda Houpt, excells with rich, strong tones and excellent breath control. Sturdy-voiced Thomas Comer displays adequately the well-disciplined, well-respected gentleman that the Captain is. Sir Joseph is played by Albert Sherman whose whispy voice is apropos to the bizarre character of Sir Joseph; he makes the most of a funny part. Space doesn't permit the credit to each member of a fine cast but just a word about Buttercup, acted and sung by Sheila-Gail Schneider--her voice is as rotund as her figure which proves able strong enough when the Captain jumps in her arms. Credit goes to David Gaylin for a very fine musical direction; choral direction by David R. Bradley; and choreography was done by Terry Herman. Costume design was done by Margaret Vincent and Jeffrey Wayne Davies, who also did a fine job as stage director. If you didn't get a chance to see this one--sorry--you missed a fine production.

The Jewish Advocate--May, 1971

Your World of Opera by William Miranda B.U. Pinafore

Boston University Savoyards presented another fine Gilbert and Sullivan evening with Pinafore the first two weekends in April. Jeffrey Davies, who directed well, also helped Margaret Vincent with a splendid set of costumes and the handsome set was designed by Tom Jeffrey. David Gaylin's baton was not as strong as it might have been--especially in the overture, but musical spirits ran high. Linda Houpt's operatic voice did fine service as Josephine and Sheila Schneider was an exceptional Buttercup, singing well and looking the part to perfection as she delivered her lines with fine stage presence. Albert Sherman's Sir Joseph wasn't outstandingly pattered, but was serviceable, and Thomas Comer had less voice as the Captain than one might have wished, but he carried it off with aplomb. Best of the men were Richard Royteck's clever Ralph, an amusing Dick Deadeye from veteran Terry Tobias and a stalwart Bos'n's Mate from Alan Abrams, a genial mainstay of the company. Best moments were cleverly conceived encores of the bell trio and a marvelous staging of the Captain-Buttercup duet in Act II. Sadly this was only one of three current G. & S. efforts your critic could catch. The three M.I.T. Mikado dates conflict with the Met and the Harvard Iolanthe performance scheduled for Monday afternoon was absent even though the critic was present and accounted for. Two of the Pinafore's four performances were on the nights of the Seders, just another example of disregard for the audience.

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