STRENGTH in depth is a term usually uttered in sporting circles indicating that a team has umpteen good extra players who can be called upon when needed.

Although in a different realm of entertainment altogether, the same could be said of Kendal and District Gilbert and Sullivan Society, which has some of the region’s best singers within its harmonious reach.

Several acclaimed voices come together in this year’s KADGASS performance of HMS Pinafore, bound for the Kendal Town Hall stage for a four nighter from Wednesday, March 29 (7.30pm).

The role of common sailor Ralph Rackstraw is played by Peter Bowden, who studied at Manchester’s Royal Northern College of Music with additional training in Rome. Peter’s opera credits include Alfredo in La Traviata as well as leading roles with Musical Lirica Opera.

Ralph is in love with, and loved by, Captain Corcoran’s daughter, Josephine, portrayed by Lakeland soprano Emily Robinson, whose repertoire is well known to music lovers across the area.

Also appearing is Jenny Brooks, a KADGASS regular, who shone in the lead role in last year’s Kendal Amateur Operatic Society’s production of Evita. In HMS Pinafore, Jenny plays Buttercup.

Another voice gracing the production is that of Stella Coxon; Stella plays Hebe.

Also among the cast are Graham Beevers as Sir Joseph Porter, Keith Hildrew in the role of Captain Corcoran, Jim Thompson is Dick Deadeye, Iain Lamb plays the boatswain and in the guise of carpenter’s mate is John Reid.

HMS Pinafore (or The Lass who Loved a Sailor) is a nod to the nautical in two acts. When it opened at the Opera Comique in London, in 1878 it ran for 571 performances, the second-longest run of any musical theatre piece up to that time.

The production, which is packed with memorable melodies, was the potent pair’s fourth operatic collaboration and their first international hit.

Tickets are available from Kendal’s Brewery Arts Centre box office on 01539-725133 or www.breweryarts.co.uk.