A swashbuckling adventure with tender-hearted pirates and bumbling policemen is heading for the York stage in September.
Joseph Rowntree Theatre, Haxby Road, York
Thu Sept 22-Sat Sept 24 @ 7.30pm; Sat matinee @ 2.30pm
Adult £12, conc £10, under 16s free
Jorvik Gilbert and Sullivan Company return to the Joseph Rowntree Theatre in September with their production of one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most famous and popular hits, The Pirates of Penzance.
This tells the tale of Frederic who, as a child, was apprenticed to a band of pirates, by his hard-of-hearing nurse, who misheard her instructions.
The story starts with Frederic celebrating the completion of his 21st year, which means he is now free to return to society and respectability, or so he thinks.
Throw into the mix a Major General who knows nothing of military strategy, his large family, and the timid police force, and you have all the ingredients for a fun-filled adventure.
Favourite show
Alex Schofield, a regular performer with Jorvik Gilbert and Sullivan Company, will be making his directorial debut with this production.
“I’m delighted that my first experience of directing is with Jorvik, as I have been with the group for a number of years, and I’m just as delighted that the first show I’m directing is The Pirates of Penzance, as it’s one of my favourites,” Alex said.
“The music, the humour and the twists all make it outstanding.”
Alex added: “I want it to be an enjoyable and engaging show for everyone, which starts from the moment they enter the theatre. As such, we are going to help people discover, or re-discover, their inner pirate by giving out a specially created newspaper, with instructions, so that all audience members can make their own pirate hat.
“In terms of the performance on stage, the aim has been to create a show that allows someone seeing Pirates for the first time to enjoy its full quality, as intended, whilst including a number of different details, so those who may have seen it (or been in it) a number of times, see something different.”
Resident musical director Matthew Collins said the company were looking forward to building on their previous successes.
“Our talented cast will be complemented by a strong orchestra and we can’t wait to return to the Joseph Rowntree Theatre.”