Simon Cook - Ralph Rackstraw

Simon has been involved with the stage for over 20 years, during which time he has appeared as a soloist in Opera, Operetta, Oratorio, Musical Theatre and Cabaret. Simon’s numerous roles in the Savoy Operas include Alexis The Sorcerer , both the Defendant and Council for the Plaintiff in Trial By Jury, Ralph Rackstraw HMS Pinafore, Nanki-Poo The Mikado, Richard Dauntless Ruddigore, Earl Tolloller Iolanthe, 1st /2nd Yeoman Yeomen of the Guard and Sir Walter Raleigh in Merrie England for a number of companies including IMOG, Shenfield Operatic Society, Romford YMCA, Chelmsford Opera and Southend Co-Operative Chorale. Musical Theatre roles include Gaylord Ravenal Showboat for RODS, Billy Crocker Anything Goes, Mr Snow Carousel, Lt Joe Cable South Pacific, Sid El Kar The Desert Song Simon has appeared as a soloist for a number of choral societies, Including Southend Co-Operative Chorale and The Eastwood Chorale. Since turning professional 3 years ago, Simon has been engaged by The Brentwood Theatre Company, Forum Theatre Company and two national tours with SG Productions Ltd. Simon was delighted to be approached to play Ralph for BOS and would like to thank everyone for the very warm welcome extended to him.

Rob first appeared aboard HMS Pinafore as a not very able seaman while a VI former at the Sweyne School. Since then he has worked his way up the ranks to Captain! Rob is a member of The Gilbert and Sullivan Society, which meets in London and has performed in several productions of all 13 of the G & S operettas including a visit to the International G & S Festival at Buxton and a raucous production Carry on Gondoliering. Rob has played The Pirate King, Pooh-Bah, Mr. Goldbury and Dr. Daly in previous BOS shows and is currently rehearsing “On the 20th Century” for a performance at The New Empire Theatre in May.

Mick Roberts - Sir Joseph Porter K.C.B.

Mick followed his parents and brother into BOS at the age of 11. He has taken part in the chorus as well as a variety of principal parts ever since. His first part was Simkins in Merrie England, but favourites were Pooh Bah, Private Willis and more recently Moonface Martin in Anything Goes. He also produced G&S's Trial by Jury. Mick said " I enjoyed the challenge of production but I think I'll stick to being on stage.

Emma Mitchell - Josephine

Emma is a long standing member of BOS who appeared in her first show for the society at the age of six. Since then she has performed many minor roles including Hodel - Fiddler on the Roof, Isabel - Scrooge and Bet - Oliver. Despite having only ever been in one Gilbert and Sullivan show previously she is very aware of the importance of their comical plots and wonderful lyrics and melodies. She admits to having found the role of Josephine a challenge, but a hugely enjoyable one.

Keith Mitchell - Dick Deadeye

HMS Pinafore holds many fond memories for our Deadeye. This was Keith’s first G & S principal part, playing to the packed audiences in Benfleet Methodist Church hall in the very early 1960’s before leaving Benfleet for Chester to train as a Technical Studies teacher. Upon taking up a teaching post at Sweyne School, Rayleigh he introduced the pupils to the delights of Gilbert and Sullivan by producing, what else, but HMS Pinafore? This was followed fairly quickly by his first guest production of the same show for Rayleigh Operatic Society. Perhaps the most dramatic memory of the show was when BOS was selected by the TV show “Nationwide” as a feature 10 mins slot to introduce a book on the lives of Gilbert and Sullivan. The power of the media had it’s effect – we could have ‘sold out’ for a fortnight that year. So Keith is taking a trip back in time by playing Deadeye for the second time, with a gap of 45 years since his first portrayal of the part.

Hilary Donoghue - Buttercup

I joined the society in 1999 in order to enjoy choral singing in fancy dress. The extent of my achievement was to sing through Anything Goes in a wheel chair and to be the fourth nun in a choral rendering of the song Maria from the Sound of Music. When HMS Pinafore was being cast the thought of being a ‘Portsmouth Bum Boat Woman’ who was ‘a plump but pleasing person’ proved irresistible. I was already one and could work being the other. Buttercup has proved a strain on my memory but I can identify with her obsession with ‘dissembling’ about her past. It’s always attractive to be a ‘mystic lady’.

My first performance on stage was in 1944 dancing the sailor’s hornpipe. I was a rather chubby child and the dancing teacher put me in the back row. Much to my parents’ embarrassment I danced my way round the stage until I was centre front! I was bitten by the bug! Theatre has been in my life ever since. Over the years I have played a variety of roles ranging from chorus to leads – my favourite being Bloody Mary in South Pacific. I am looking forward to playing Hebe. Maybe I’ll end up centre front again!!!

David Donoghue -  Boatswain

David first performed with the Society in 1999 in Iolanthe. Since then he has had various character and chorus roles in each production. In Anything Goes he took the part of the Captain and is not sure if the part of the Boatswain should be thought of as promotion or a demotion! Whatever the answer it will be different to his first appearance in HMS Pinafore as a chorus member when he was 17. He hopes he enjoys this production as much as that one and does the part justice.

Peter Robinson - Carpenter

After his performance as Sid Sorokin in BOS’ production of The Pajama Game Peter was chuffed to get the role of the Carpenter’s Mate. He’s greatly looking forward to the change in pitch provided by the trio in ‘A British Tar’…and to strictly observing his given stage direction of “muck it all up”! Peter’s been busy over the last year and has performed with groups including RAW Productions and Southminster Operatic and Choral Society, as well as taking the part of Willie in Two Faced Productions recent hit Copacabana.

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