A HOPELESS, blundering band of pirates have landed in Scarborough and will be appearing at the Stephen Joseph Theatre from tomorrow until August 22.
The Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert and Sullivan has been given a Reservoir Dogs twist by SJT artistic director Chris Monks.
Frederic is loyal, young and free from his apprenticeship to a band of pirates. When he falls for Mabel, daughter of a majo
r general, this and the abandoning of his pirate ways causes distress to the pirate king and his lovelorn nursery maid, Ruth. Frederic is cajoled, threatened and tricked by the pirates and with the help of a pathetic posse of policemen, chaos ensues with hilarious consequences.
Cutlasses are exchanged for guns as pirates scowl behind dark glasses and rule the waves like a mafia of the high seas.
Chris says: “This is opera for everyone. It’s even opera for people who don’t like opera. Some years ago I brought my cricket-pitch version of The Mikado to Scarborough; now it’s the turn of The Pirates of Penzance. Gilbert and Sullivan is part of our collective dramatic inheritance, it’s the start of the modern musical.
“Fabulous tunes coupled with a witty, satirical script guarantee an enjoyable, entertaining evening for all the family. The Pirates of Penzance kicks off a new tradition at the SJT – the summer musical”, Chris says.
In the cast are Robert Austin, Emilia Brodie, Kieran Buckeridge, Clare Corbett, Theo Cross, Marilyn Cutts, Pete Gallagher, Rosie Jenkins, John Killoran, Anna Lowe and Ian McLarnon.
