5 reasons you shouldn’t miss The Pirates of Penzance
The clowns are back!
Do you remember the delightfully comic production of the Offenbach operetta Orpheus in the Underworld at our theatre? Thousands of audience members laughed themselves to tears at the production by the British comedy troupe Spymonkey. For the new production of The Pirates of Penzance, we thought: never change a winning team! So here’s the good news: the clowns from the United Kingdom are back! Directors Toby Park and Aitor Basauri guarantee physical comedy at the highest level. Elevated nonsense, slapstick, and every possible—and impossible—form of humor will once again give your laughter muscles a serious workout.
Very British: A declaration of love for British operetta
You know Viennese operetta, and perhaps the Berlin variety as well? Maybe you’ve even heard of the Spanish operetta form, zarzuela? Then it’s high time to discover the British version! Composer Arthur Sullivan and librettist W. S. Gilbert are considered its absolute masters. Satire, social criticism, and irresistibly catchy, brilliantly composed music—that’s the unique blend and fascination of their works. With their pieces, the two follow in the tradition of great British comedy: very British indeed!
A visual spectacle of the highest order
As with Orpheus in the Underworld, the set and costume design are by Julian Crouch—and that promises a visual feast of the highest order! Stage designs reminiscent of Baroque theatre, colorful scenery, and opulent costumes create a stunning world on stage—one that our ensemble can use as a playground. Look forward to a pirate ship, the waves of the open sea, and sea creatures of every color and shape!
An outstanding ensemble of comic performers
Under the musical direction of British conductor Chloe Rooke, an outstanding ensemble takes to the stage—one that masters both vocal artistry and comedy. Alongside pirate king Katia Ledoux, you will see Timothy Fallon as the pirate apprentice, Johanna Arrouas as his foster mother, Stefan Cerny as the police sergeant, Jakob Semotan as the major-general, Nicole Chévalier as his daughter Mabel, and many more audience favorites. This celebration of singing is not to be missed!
Because we’ll turn your world upside down, too
Sometimes it helps to see the world from a different perspective. Gilbert and Sullivan call this “topsy-turvy.” What does that mean? Turning apparent normality on its head and claiming that completely absurd situations are entirely normal. And lo and behold: sometimes it really helps to laugh at the absurdity of our world. What could be more necessary in times like these?
