All hands on deck, Gilbert and Sullivan’s beloved classic The Pirates of Penzance is sailing into Brisbane in a brand new, semi-staged concert production that will take Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s Concert Hall by storm for six shows only, from December 5–8. Silly and romantic, this iconic production is filled with side-splitting humour and spine-tingling harmonies sure to delight everyone from the youngest scallywag to the oldest, saltiest sea dog.
Directed by the acclaimed Stuart Maunder and produced by Brisbane-based company Prospero Arts, this crowd-pleasing musical sings with an all-star cast of bumbling buccaneers, fleet-footed police and Victorian maidens.
Prospero Arts managing director Hayley Johnson says, “This in-concert style of presentation is always surprising in that it creates a new awareness of just how beautiful these musical scores are through the live, on-stage presence of the orchestra.”
“It’s always such a satisfying journey to take a show that is so well known with much-loved music and stories and observe the amazing work of professionals like director Stuart Maunder and music director Isaac Haywood. It’s going to be such a treat to present their reimagined take on this iconic classic to audiences performed by acclaimed stars like Ben Mingay, John Wood, Billy Bourchier and Nina Korbe.”
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A full, 23-piece onstage orchestra, under the the baton of international award-winning musical director Isaac Haywood, will bring life to classic Gilbert and Sullivan songs like “I am the Pirate King”, “Poor, Wandering One” and, of course, “I am the Very Model of a Modern Major General”. While internationally accomplished designer Penny Challen will be decking out the cast in the finest of piratical garb.
The Pirates of Penzance – In Concert is presented by QPAC and Prospero Arts and marks the fourth successful production the two have collaborated on following Singin’ in the Rain – In Concert (2022), The Wizard of Oz – In Concert (2023), and Jersey Boys – In Concert (2024).
So what are you waiting for? Trim the sails, batten down the hatches and procure yourself a ticket to an unforgettable evening of piratical escapades here.