THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE by Gilbert & Sullivan
Frederick, apprenticed to the Pirates since a child, learns that he was born in a leap year on 29th February, and that he is contracted to the Pirate King until his 21st BIRTHDAY, not his 21st year. With only the inept Penzance constabulary to protect him, how will he resist being forced to endure a life of crime until he is 84 – and will his sweetheart, Mabel, wait for him that long?
Performed by a 6-strong cast of actor/singers with specially-orchestrated jauntily-nautical accompaniment, The Pirates of Penzance gets the complete Illyria treatment. Despite the reduction in scale not a single word from WS Gilbert’s libretto is cut, nor a single note or harmony from Sir Arthur Sullivan’s score unsung.
With hilarious melodrama, sharp satire and glittering wit, The Pirates of Penzance is as fresh as if it had been written today. It is packed-full of memorable songs such as To be a Pirate King!, Modern Major General and A Policeman’s Lot is Not a Happy One.
Running time (approx): 2hrs 10mins (including 20 minute interval)
