The Pirates of Penzance
Directed by Donna Stirrup Conducted by Martin Handley
Join us for Gilbert and Sullivan’s touching, witty masterpiece with a nearly 50 strong company of international singers, and an orchestra to do justice to Sullivan’s brilliant score.
The Pirates of Penzance deserves its well-loved position in our theatrical history: full of wonderful tunes, witty lyrics and very British situations!
The story of a pirate’s apprentice who falls head-over-heels in love with the daughter of Major-General – and the hilariously silly consequences, a story we will tell with clarity, humour, humanity, love and commitment to Gilbert and Sullivan’s genius.
Donna Stirrup (Glyndebourne, ENO) directs a brand-new production with a vibrant company, some of whom have years of experience of this repertoire under their belts, and some who are at the beginning of surely brilliant careers. Martin Handley (ENO, Royal Danish Opera, Carl Rosa Opera, D’Oyly Carte Opera, BBC Radio 3) conducts the wonderful orchestra.
Nearly 150 years after first playing in New York City, The Pirates of Penzance remains one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most popular works, with adaptations over the years winning many awards including a Tony Award for Best Revival and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical. It contains some of their most memorable melodies including ‘I am the Very Model of a Modern Major General’ and ‘A Policeman’s Lot is Not a Happy One’ and remains one of the most frequently played Gilbert and Sullivan operas.
Jump aboard for a joyful adventure which will bring Gilbert and Sullivan’s popular masterpiece to life for longtime fans and new audiences alike.
Rachel Roper performs the role of Kate.