Grand Ammjays Fairview Inn

The Pirates of Penzance is one of the most frequently played Gilbert and Sullivan operas , it is a light comedy which is split into two separate acts. The official premiere was on the 31st December 1879 in Fifth Avenue Theatre, New York and it was hugely successful with both the general public and critics. In London on 3rd April 1880, the first UK production was presented at the Opera Comique. There have been many modernised productions of the play since then, including Joseph Papp's 1981 production on Broadway which won several awards and a film adaptation in 1983.

The cast is made up of pretty young maidens, soft hearted pirates and hopeless cops. During the plot, a number of silly mistakes happen and lives are turned upside down.

The central character of the plot is Frederic, who thanks to his slightly deaf nursemaidnamed Ruth, is a reluctant pirates apprentice. Frederic is standing on the rocky shore with the pirates, drinking sherry in celebration of his 21st Birthday when he informs them that he is leaving. Ruth, the pirate's maid joins in to explain that as Frederic's former nursemaid when he was a young boy, she was told by his Father to have him apprenticed to a ships pilot, but unfortunately in error, heard 'pirate'.

Frederic appeals to the pirate king and the rest of the crew to leave with him to pursue a more decent life, however he is not successful. Frederic makes some suggestions to the pirates to help them avoid regularly getting beaten and to be more successful in their ventures. He points out that everyone they capture claims to be an orphan as it is well known that as former orphans themselves, the pirates will release them as they have a soft spot for them.

Frederic leaves with Ruth, she is besotted with Frederic and is determined to wed him so she persuades him that she is an extremely stunning woman. Poor Frederic who has spent the majority of his life at sea cannot remember any other woman's face and believes her. Just then, a group of beautiful maidens come along and Ruth's deception is exposed. Frederic realises that Ruth is 'plain and old' and she runs off in utter despair. Frederic attempts to warn the lovely maidens that there are pirates nearby and in no time, Frederic and Mabel, a daughter of the Major General Stanley, promptly.

Soon after this, the pirate kink returns, accompanied by Ruth and informs Frederic that he cannot in fact leave them. They tell Frederic that he is not technically 21 yet as he was born on the 29th of February and only has a birthday each leap year. So his apprenticeship is not finished. So Frederic must stay with the pirates for another 63 years ! Frederic feels devastated at this news but having a real sense of duty, he agrees to return and his faithful new love promises she will wait for him!

The Pirates of Penzance is a Victorian classic. It has remained popular with audiences for more than 130 years.