27th Sept – 1st Oct 2011
The Pirates of Penzance; or, The Slave of Duty, is a comic opera in two acts, with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W.S. Gilbert. The story concerns Frederic, who, having completed his 21st year, is released from his apprenticeship to a band of tenderhearted pirates. He meets Mabel, the daughter of Major-General Stanley, and the two young people fall instantly in love. Frederic finds out, however, that he was born on February 29, and so, technically, he only has a birthday each leap year. His apprenticeship indentures state that he remains apprenticed to the pirates until his 21st birthday, and so he must serve for another 63 years. Mabel agrees to wait for him faithfully.
Pirates was the fifth Gilbert and Sullivan collaboration and introduced the much-parodied Major-General’s Song. It has been refreshed with several modernised productions and spawned many imitations. Pirates remains popular today, taking its place along with The Mikado and HMS Pinafore as one of the most frequently played Gilbert and Sullivan operas.
Creative Team
| Creative | Name |
|---|---|
| Director | June Thomas |
| Musical Director | Paul Tickner |
| Choreographer | April Timpson |
| Stage Manager | Mike Davall |
| Assistant Director | Charlotte Walker |
Cast List
| Character | Name |
|---|---|
| Major-General Stanley | Haydn Thomas |
| The Pirate King | Rob Tickner |
| Samuel, his Lieutenant | Mark Aston |
| Frederic, the Pirate Apprentice | Peter Hartley |
| Sergeant of Police | Tim Canfield |
| Mabel | Danni Stembridge |
| Edith | Dawn Stephens |
| Kate | Siân Thomas |
| Isabel | Melanie Martin |
| Ruth, a Piratical Maid of all work | Charlie McGowan |
| General Stanley's Daughters | Alex Balston, Sam Bottle, Laura Gurney, Emma Dayson, Melanie Martin, Lucy Jesse, Dawn Stephens, Danni Stembridge, Siân Thomas |
| Pirates | Mark Aston, Tony Doherty, Mike Lehman, Norman Lyddiatt, Tony Siddall, Bernard Stone, Rob Tickner, Arie Van Nieuwenhuijzen, Colin Vickery |
| Police | Susan Canfield, Tim Canfield, Mike Davall, Graham McCarron, Eric McLoughlin, Geoff Morris, Jane Mumford, Robert Phillips, Darren White |
| Ladies | Joyce Atlee, Helen Dayson, Ruth Hepworth, Sally Humphries, Leah McBean-Willis, Giga Phillips, Kelly Turner |