In H.M.S. Pinafore, Gilbert & Sullivan satirize the snobbery and hypocrisy of the English social system of his day. He tells the story of a lowly able seaman named Ralph who has fallen in love with Josephine, his Captain's daughter. Josephine, however, has been pledged by her father to Sir Joseph Porter, First Lord of the Admiralty. Although Josephine is in love with Ralph, she is determined to remain true to her breeding and marry the man her father has chosen. Sir Joseph, for his part, professes to be a man of new ideals, informing the Captain that "a British sailor is any man's equal, excepting mine," and requiring him to soften his commands to the crew by adding such civilities as "if you please." But when Little Buttercup, a local bumboat woman, lets slip that all is not what it seems, Sir Joseph's liberal notions are put to the test. With the Praeclara Vocal Company taking the stage, and the energetic direction of Bevan Keating, prepare for a very British romp of a show that will be fun for all ages!