HMS PINAFORE @ HEATH FARM

115 mins

01 Jan 1970

Due to the heat, this event has been moved to the Croquet Lawn at Heath Farm which is more in the shade. Customers are welcome to bring their own chairs to the performance. We look forward to seeing you this weekend.

The fourth collaboration between Gilbert & Sullivan and their first blockbuster hit was HMS Pinafore, or ‘The Lass That Loved a Sailor.’ The opera opened on 28 May 1878 at the Opera Comique in London and ran for 571 performances. It became a huge hit in England, as well as in America, being copied illegally by dozens of performing companies.

Pinafore is one of the most popular Gilbert & Sullivan operas, perhaps because of its infectious tunes and generally well-constructed libretto. Drawing on several of his earlier ‘bab ballad’ poems, Gilbert embued HMS Pinafore with mirth and silliness in abundance. The opera’s gentle satire reprises and builds upon the love between members of different social classes.

The action takes place on the quarterdeck of HMS Pinafore which is anchored in the harbour at Portsmouth.

This is a tale of mismatched love across different social classes. Josephine is the captain’s daughter and has fallen for lowly sailor Ralph. Yet her father has other ideas – he has promised her to Sir Joseph Porter, the First Lord of the Admiralty. Will love prevail? Climb aboard to find out and enjoy a feast of fun along the way. Hip hip hooray!

Generously supported by Heath Farm Holiday Cottages

About The Event

• The site and bar will be open from one hour before performance time.
• Bring picnic blankets or cushions (the audience area is a grassy slope) 
• We will run events outside in most weather conditions, where it is safe to do so. Please dress appropriately!
• For directions, access information and further information on the venue CLICK HERE 
• Make your visit extra special by pre-ordering deluxe picnic boxes from Feast Grazing, including afternoon tea and children’s options. Choose your food at check-out.
• If you have already booked your tickets, but would like to add picnic boxes to your order, please contact the Box Office on 01608 642350.