Synopsis
One of the 'Savoy Operas', the Pirates of Penzance is one of the most enduring and popular of Gilbert and Sullivan works. The show centres around Frederic who, as a child, was mistakenly apprenticed to a band of pirates by his nurse (Ruth) who, being hard of hearing had mis-heard her master's instruction to apprentice Frederic to a 'pilot' - an easy mistake to make!!
The alternative name for the operetta is 'The Slave of Duty' and as the play unfolds it soon becomes apparent that this refers to Frederic's obsession to always 'do his duty'. On becoming 21 years old, Frederic is awarded his indentures by the Pirate King. However, the original indentureship stated that on achieving his 21st birthday, Frederic could leave the pirates. This he chooses to do, but his 'sense of duty' not only leads him to inform the Pirate King of his decision to leave but also compels him to inform the pirates that he will, from now on, do his utmost to ensure their extemination.
The pirates, being a band of tender-hearted orphans accept that this is indeed Frederic's duty and take no steps to prevent him from leaving or carrying out his duty. In the meantime the Major-General's many daughters turn up at the Pirate's Cove, believing it to be deserted and proceed to cavort about. Frederic, who until that moment, had only set eyes on one woman - Ruth, his nurse - immediately falls in love with the eldest sister - Mabel. The pirates return and decide they are each going to marry one of the sisters and go looking for the local padre. In the nick of time however, the Major-General turns up to rescue his daughters. He achieves this by taking advantage of the pirates' well-known habit of releasing captives who claim to be orphans. Like so many before him, the Major-General pretends to be an orphan and the pirates set free he and all of his daughters.
Later, Frederic takes steps to carry out his vow to exterminate the pirates and enlists the help of the local constabulary - a timid bunch. However, his plans are scuppered when he discovers that having been born on 29th February he has, in fact, not reached his 21st birthday after all, but is, in fact, only five-and-a-quarter. His 'sense of duty' therefore compels him to re-join the pirates and ensure that the plans to capture and exterminate them come to naught.
Ultimately the timid constabulary and the tender-heated orphan pirates come to blows. Initially the pirates gain the upper hand, but when the police sergeant appeals to the pirates' loyalty to Queen Victoria, they yield. Before they can be taken to the bar, however, Ruth reveals that the pirates are actually orphaned 'lords' and they are immediately set free.
Not surprisngly a happy ending ensues with Frederic marrying Mabel and the erstwhile pirates marrying the Major-General's other daughters.
Altogether now - aw!
The show features many great songs including - 'I am the very Model of a Modern Major-General', 'A Policeman's Lot is not a Happy One', 'A Rollickin' Band of Pirates We' and many more - great (if innocent) fun!!
You can find more about the show and its history by clicking here
Put the dates in your diaries now - 10th to 13th March 2010, including the usual Saturday matinee.
Cast for 2010 Production
Frederic - Tim Stewart
Mabel - Emma Milligan
Pirate King - Brian McKay
Ruth - Olga Watkins
The Major General - Bob Johnson
Sergeant of Police - Brian Collie
Edith - Angela Dickinson
Samuel - Andy Law
Kate - Maggie Magor
Isobel - Lorna Gallagher
Plus a chorus of pirates, police and the Major-General's many daughters and their companions.
