Notes from the Archives of Peter Zavon: Pinafore '71

This production introduced a new directorial team to the Savoyards. Jeffrey Wayne Davies, restauranteur and savoyard, served as Stage Director. He had previously played Grossmith roles at Harvard and MIT. David Gaylin, a Harvard junior, served as Musical Director. He had been, and remained, active in the Harvard Band and Harvard Wind Ensemble. The set, constructed by Tom Jeffrys of Tufts University, was designed from the D'Oyly Carte set as pictured on the most recent record album. It included a rotatable wheel and capstan and two sets of furled sails. The rented backdrop showed a view of the harbor, with a warship nearby. Except for the uniforms worn by Sir Joseph and Captain Corcoran, and one of each sailor's two pair of pants, all the costumes were made by the costume crew. This was a major operation, requiring nearly two months of work after the designs were finished. The project included covering the parasols with cloth to match the color of each woman's dress as well as making a crinolin for each woman in the cast. An empty room on the fourth floor of the Sherman Union was turned over to the Savoyards for use as a costume shop. It was in nearly constant use for more than a month. This provided excellent propaganda with the Student Activities Office and the Student Union since both organizations were located on the same floor and their members could see Savoyards hard at work at almost any hour of the day or night. Audition procedure was again changed. There was the usual series of open auditions, but these were followed by one day devoted to call-backs which were closed to all but those called back. There was considerable dissatisfaction with this procedure in as much as everyone being considered for any principle part was required to be present for the entire session, during which all those in contention for each part were put through their paces. The blocking was quite in the style of D'Oyly Carte. However, Jeffrey did introduce a double-line pinwheel during the first act finale which was well received by the audience. Encores to the Bell Trio included some traditional D'Oyly Carte business, as well as a tango and the use of a strobe light. Dave had never worked with singers before, nor had he ever directed a staged production. He had an assistant who came in from Providence two nights a week to work with the chorus. For once, the chorus learned all its music before beginning on the blocking. The lighting for this production left something to be desired. Very few lights were hung in the house. Most lights were on booms on stage, either behind or to the side of the set. Since the Concert Hall had no fly space, and did have low-hanging acoustical clouds, all lights were very low to the stage. As a result, cast members often found themselves standing within a very few feet of a bright, hot light, or standing in the shadow of someone who was. By the time the books were closed on this production, the Savoyards had approximately $3200 in their account with the Student Activities Office.(P)(The primary recollection of this production by the webmaster was as an audience member. During one performance, when the male chorus entered for the second act, the "mast" was nudged and proceeded to start to fall. It was held, at a precarious angle, by a single string of lights hung through the rigging for several minutes, non of the sailers wanting to break character. After seemed like an eternity, a stagehand entered and righted the "mast" to the audience's relief.)

Production List	Pinafore '71 home	Reviews	Photographs