Oh, my. How splendid this is! I was so lucky as to be able to meet Sir John Reed (and have my libretto autographed) at the University of Colorado when he was visiting. A more gracious gentleman does not walk the earth.
Outstanding. I saw Reed in this role in 78 in Toronto and again in 81 in Oxford. Aside from being an ideal singer for these roles, he also had the knack of knowing how not to overplay the comedy.
I've seen John Reed as Ko Ko in clips on Youtoube (I don't own the film) and he's quite good. I have also heard him as Sir Joseph in the 1960 Doyly Carte pinafore album and he's absolutely outstanding. Pity they didn't get round to filming him as Sir Joseph until 1974. Oh and Pamela field is Outstanding. I am glad they had the good fortune to film her and Michael Rayner in their prime.
Priceless! No wonder it's become legendary - it's completely in the G & S spirit. I am now in love with John Reed. Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this wonderful performance.
Brilliant - simply brilliant ! Two years ago, at the Buxton Festival one of the groups performed an extact replica of this with 6 encores and the audience was roaring :) NOW I know, where they got the idea from LOL - but seriously: This is simply priceless and in the true G&S spirit - most enjoyable.
Love this, easily my favorite production. For those who have asked, this full production is on youtube, just search "HMS Pinafore" and it comes up fairly high up.
Sullivan's glorious infinitely hummable melodies and Gilberts sonderfully witty words performed impeccably by great G & S talent. Impossible not to be delighted at such a gift.
I totally agree - re encores: at the HMS Pinafore performance at the 'Internatioal G&S Festival' at Buxton/Peak District in 2010 the company performed 5 wonderfully funny encores :)
Yes, but frankly, John Reed was THE consummate "Ruler of the Queen's Navee" Thanks for the suggestion though. I still hope that at some point, this version will be digitized and available on DVD. When i need a "pick-me-up" i play this clip and laugh myself into high spirits. i appreciate your suggestion. Thanks. s
It is so good to have a large portion of the D'Oyly Carte production of Pinafore on record, in the form of this TV presentation. I saw the company live in 1976 and 1978, their final American tours. Spent some time with John Reed at the company's hotel while a friend had secured an interview with him. He was so gracious. Other than a different Soprano (Barbara Lilley) this is largely the cast that I saw those two seasons. Sadly there is little film/video available (at least publicly) to preserve the magnificent productions of the original company.
I saw the telefilm of the whole performance many years ago on RU-vid. Shame RU-vid took it down, as it was one of the best versions I've ever seen. Equalled only by the Essgee performance.
I have looked for this for a long time. I believe this was from an after school special hosted by Richard Thomas. He explained the plot during breaks. He then admitted that he performed Pinafore in college. He was the Admiral.
Yes. Comic opera at its finest, a send up on so many levels hypocrisy, pomposity, the navy lark: so many encores so carefully and brilliant staged even sends up encores themselves.
I really like that version on all counts except for whenever Colette Mann's Buttercup sings. That shrill grating is just intolerable most of the time...
Pamela Field did come across as a bit stiff in comparison to John Reed's energy, but it's hard to blame her. I don't think anyone could look good next to him lol
