Choose either a major theme that the play addr

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Deadline: May 8, 2022, 1:00 PM EST (UTC-5EST)

Number of pages: 5 Pages (no less than 1500 words, not count reference list)

Course name: Theatre 100

Citation style: MLA

Number of sources: 2

Project title: production analysis

details/Instructions:

This project requires to watch the drama H.MS Pinafore, I will attach the link and example below.

For Measure, you will examine the world of the play, determine the plot, and examine at least one social/cultural/political theme contained in the play and one contemporary social/cultural/political theme that was directed/designed/proposed by the actors/actors of the play. There is no clear content in the script.

For HMS Pinafore, you will choose the main themes that the play addresses, or specific structural or performance choices made in productions, and analyze them in the context of the information you have learned in class so far. For this, you should bring in at least two external sources to explore your chosen issue/production option, and your post should include citations. and the link:

https://youtu.be/oPZjMjgNzlc

Watch KU Theatre's production of H.M.S. Pinafore, by W.S. Gilbert & Arthur Sullivan, directed by丿ohn Stephens, April 29, May 1 *, 3, 5, 2022, Crafton-Preyer Theatre

Choose either a major theme that the play addresses or a specific structural or performative choice made in KU the production and analyze that more extensively. For this one you are expected to bring in at least two outside sources to explore the issue/production choice that you have chosen, and your post should include citations.

The example is written by my friend, for reference only.

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The production takes us on board the H.M.S. Pinafore as it is docked and awaiting the arrival of Sir Joseph, an important figure in the British navy. While the crew is preparing for his arrival, a woman who goes by “Little Buttercup” comes on board. Little Buttercup ends up taking a liking to the captain of the Pinafore but is holding onto a secret that does not get revealed until the second act. Meanwhile, Sir Joseph is seeking to marry the captain’s daughter, Josephine, but she is in love with a sailor named Ralph on the Pinafore. When Josephine tells her father this, he tells her she must not marry a sailor as they are of a lower class than her. The production revisits this theme of class disparities several times with another example happening when Sir Joseph finally arrives on board. He sings a song detailing how anyone can become the ruler of the Queen’s navy if they always stay at their desk and never go to sea. Josephine is then approached on deck by Ralph who confesses his love for her, but she turns him down remembering her father’s advice. Ralph then goes on to threaten suicide, which causes Josephine to confess her true love for him. They plan to get married that very night despite another crewmember, Dick Deadeye, warning them against going through with their plan.

In the second act, Little Buttercup confesses her feelings toward the captain but, like his daughter, he turns her down due to Buttercup being of a lower class. Dick Deadeye then has a conversation with the captain where he reveals the secret marriage plan. The captain confronts the soon to be couple, but a bit of profanity by the captain is overheard by Sir Joseph who sends the captain back to his quarters. Once Sir Joseph finds out the marriage plan, he sends Ralph to the brig. Little Buttercup then decides to reveal her secret. She is actually the foster mom of the captain and Ralph and she had switched them while they were babies. This revelation thus allows for Ralph and Josephine to get married, as Sir Joseph no longer wants to marry the daughter of a sailor.

Disparities between social classes is a major theme found throughout the production. Britain during the Victorian Era had distinct social classes of the upper class, middle class, and lower class. People during this time that were in the upper class would usually not do any labor themselves and would hire others to do it for them. Meanwhile, the working class faced unsanitary and unsafe conditions while working, and many of them were without housing. They also were unable to obtain education for their children and did not have proper access to clean food or water (British Literature Wiki). This theme is found when the captain tells his daughter not to marry Ralph because he is of a lower social class than them. Despite his daughter telling him she is in love with a sailor, he still advises her against marrying him and tries to match her up with Sir Joseph as he would be more suitable in the captain's opinion.

A perfect embodiment of this theme is Sir Joseph. He is also of a higher social class and sings a song to the crewmates about how anyone can become the leader of the Queen’s navy if they just never go to sea and always stay at their desk. This statement by Sir Joseph emphasizes how the upper classes were unaware of or did not understand the systemic problems that prevented those of lower classes from being able to rise through the social class hierarchy. Sir Joseph was a satirical version of what a political elite of the time would have been. He seemed somewhat unqualified for his position and like he had almost just fallen into it without doing any real work. He was high up in the navy despite never going to sea, which affirms how the upper classes at the time would rely on other people to do work for them. Gilbert and Sullivan were able to poke fun at these figures through the childish and goofy figure of Sir Joseph. At the same time, they were able to comment on the authority of the upper class and even degrade them in a way through the use of Sir Joseph.

This theme is then flipped on its head – but also reaffirmed – at the end when Little Buttercup reveals her secret. The captain actually being of a lower class and Ralph being the true captain demonstrates how a person's social class is not an accurate representation of their value. Even though the captain would now be seen as unqualified for the position, he was able to perform his job well and gain the respect of the sailors. In turn, Ralph was just as easily able to assume the role despite not being aware of his true rank prior to Little Buttercup. It also reaffirms the social standards at the time by making it socially acceptable for the former captain to marry Little Buttercup in the end, despite him turning her down at the beginning. This shows how the captain would only consider her if she was not of a lower class than himself. However, these societal standards are challenged by Ralph when he still decides to marry Josephine despite his now being a captain and her now being the daughter of a sailor. Sir Joseph also withdrew his aspiration to marry Josephine, which shows he did not really care for her as a person but only wanted to marry her because she was a part of his same class. Once this changed, he no longer saw any value or personal gain from marrying Josephine. If this switch did not happen, it is likely that these events would not have taken place.

This theme of the play is still in many ways relevant today, which is why KU Theatre’s performance of it can still be applicable to the lives of the audience. There are still class disparities today with the upper classes having more money than they could ever need and the lower and working classes living paycheck to paycheck. There remains an ideology among many people that it is possible for anyone to rise through the classes if they just work hard enough, like what Sir Joseph believed, despite there being systemic problems preventing people from being able to achieve this. For example, most of the careers that are deemed desirable require a college diploma, but the cost of education makes it impossible for a lot of people to even consider pursuing a degree. There are also still social stigmas in regards to marriage and choosing a partner, though not necessarily to the same extent as in H.M.S. Pinafore. One of the most important things for a lot of people when searching for a partner is what their career is and how much money they make. This can lead people to mostly find partners within their own social class, but unlike in the production there aren’t any overarching restrictions preventing marriage between classes.

H.M.S. Pinafore focuses on class differences and the societal standards that are found as a result. Gilbert and Sullivan achieve this through the use of characters like Sir Joseph that satirize figures of the upper class. They are also able to comment on how individuals across the classes really aren’t that different through the twist at the end where the captain and Ralph are able to switch places without any issue. This production remains relevant today due to class disparities still being prevalent in our own society and the social stigmas around marriage. KU Theatre’s production was able to display this theme effectively and in a way that could resonate with a modern day audience.

Works Cited:

“Beginner's Guide to Gilbert & Sullivan: Discover Opera: Eno.” English National Opera, https://www.eno.org/discover-opera/beginners-guide-gilbert-sullivan/.

“Social Life in Victorian England.” British Literature Wiki, https://sites.udel.edu/britlitwiki/social-life-in-victorian-england/.

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