SynopsisThe play opens with a melodic overture and leads to a breezy chorus of sailors on the quarterdeck telling us that they not only sail the ocean blue but also that their saucy ship’s a beauty. This is followed at once by the arrival of Mrs. Cripps, the bumboat woman, known to the sailors as Little Buttercup. This “plump and pleasing person” has goods and trinkets to sell and a ditty to sing”. Able Seaman Dick Deadeye, an ugly and villainous fellow, enters and, in Shakespearian manner, reveals his character in his opening speech.
When Ralph Rackstraw makes his appearance, Little Buttercup is obviously very perturbed. However, Ralph (or Rafe, as his name is pronounced) is lost in his own love-lorn thoughts. He loves the Captain’s daughter, Josephine, but alas, he is but a “lowly suitor”.
Captain Corcoran comes on deck and, wishing the crew an affable good morning, sings a lively and rather boastful song in which he discloses that he may, when the occasion demands it, say, “bother” but never uses a “big,big D.” “What, never?” “Well, hardly ever”. Corcoran is upset by the knowledge that his daughter is not interested in the offer of marriage from Sir Joseph Porter, K.C.B., First Lord of the Admiralty, and soon Josephine herself sings of her amorous plight, followed by a confession to her father that she loves one of his crew - a common sailor.
Events move fast and Sir Joseph Porter, with his relations in train (Cousin Hebe leading the train), come on board. Sir Joseph sings his famous autobiographical song detailing the various occupational steps by which he rose to his present exalted station. There is a trio sung by Ralph, the Boatswain’s Mate, The Carpenter’s Mate and chorus; a duet for Josephine and Ralph - one of those typical lovers’ misunderstandings. We then proceed to the finale of Act I, where Ralph enlists the sympathy of his friends, which he readily gets. When in desperation he threatens to commit suicide, Josephine rushes in and declares her love for him. There is general rejoicing with one abstention, the menacing Dick Deadeye, who utters baleful warnings against any attempts at a clandestine marriage.
When the curtain goes up on Act II, it is moonlight and we hear the Captain singing a charming song in which he tells his worries and troubles to the moon. However, Little Buttercup is at hand to offer him some comfort and a cryptic warning. Josephine sings an aria of grand opera dimensions in which she weighs up the respective merits of love and poverty and loveless social security. When Sir Joseph Porter informs Josephine that love levels all ranks, he little knows that he is helping her to come to the final decision - love must and will find a way.
All is now set for the clandestine marriage, but Dick Deadeye, having informed the Captain of the conspiracy, causes the tiptoe proceedings to be interrupted and roundly denounced by the Captain whereupon Ralph melodramatically declaims that he is an Englishman. Then we hear one of the proudest tunes and thrillingly patriotic songs Sullivan ever wrote. The Captain, utterly confounded, says “Damme, it’s too bad”. Sir Joseph Porter entering at that moment sends the captain to his cabin for his breach of decorum. There is confusion all round and only Little Buttercup can untie the Gordian Knot. She does in the now familiar Gilbertian way. |
