Copyright © 2019 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
In 1915, Thomas G. Moses wrote, “A small ‘Pinafore’ set told us that we were not through with this old popular opera.”
There were numerous Pinafore revivals that year, ranging from small town college productions to a large revival at New York’s 48th Street Theatre. In Texas, there was even a production at Lake Austin where the “Austin American Statesman” reported, “The ship ‘Pinafore’ will be anchored out in Lake Austin and will be near enough to the shore and in such position that the dialogues and songs can be easily heard by everyone along the bank” (5 Sept. 1915, page 8). Well, water does carry sound.
Looking at the numerous possibilities for a production with Sosman & Landis scenery, one announced in the “Lancaster New Era” intrigued me (Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 30 March 1915, page 7). The Crane-Burckly Co. staged a revival of “Pinafore” during the early spring of 1915. Of the show, the newspaper reported, “Young and old music lovers of Lancaster paid their respects to Gilbert and Sullivan on Monday night at the Fulton Opera House, when the Crane-Burckly Comedy Company offered their splendid revival of “H. M. S. Pinafore” as their bill for this week. The music of this charming play is the kind that seems to live forever. One can sit and remember seeing and hearing the famous play some years ago, but the charm and beauty of the score seems to be fresh and newly charming each time one hears t sung. The piece was produced by the Crane-Burckly Company in its entirety. Not a line nor bar was excluded, and all who would known Gilbert ad Sullivan can well imagine what a perfect production of this famous play Messrs. Crane and Burckly have offered patrons. Like true artists these people are, they gave a thoroughly perfect rendition of both the dialogue and the music. Raymond Crane, who sang the role of Captain Corcoran, showed himself in a new light. Mr. Crane disclosed himself as an actor of ability, and his performance of the commander of the H. M. S. Pinafore was by far the most artistic, the most finished piece of acting that has been seen for some time. Arthur Burckly shared the honors with his partner for first merits of the play. Mr. Burckly’s performances was the artistic triumph of his career in Lancaster.” Meanwhile, another “H. M. S. Pinafore” production played at the York’s 48th Street Theatre in New York, running from April 19, 1915 to June 19, 1915.
There is simply no way of knowing which revival Moses was referring to without locating the firm’s name in a program. However, during my search, I did come across something else that was just fun.
On March 18, 1915, an entertaining tale from the “London Opinion” was published in newspapers across the United States that mentioned the show:
“Knows Something of the Sea.
Naval recruiting Office (to actor who has applied to join the naval reserves – And what experience have you had?
Actor- Quite considerable, I was two years a midshipman in H. M S. Pinafore, a lieutenant in half a dozen plays and an admiral in the Chinese Honeymoon” (page 7).
To be continued…
