The Pirates of Penzance is a light comedy opera by Gilbert and Sullivan . The official premiere of the show was at the Fifth Avenue Theatre in New York in 1879. It was an immediate hit. Its first London production was on the 3rd April 1880 at the Opera Comique. There have been many modernised productions of the play since, including Joseph Papp's 1981 production on Broadway and even a film adaptation in 1983.
The cast is made up of a kind hearted bunch of pirates, some gorgeous young maidens, a team of useless but lovely policemen and a major general with a silver tongue. Throughout the plot, a series of silly mistakes happen and lives are turned upside down.
Frederic is the fundamental character of the plot. He is a nice young man who is a reluctant apprentice pirate because of a slightly deaf nursemaid Ruth. Frederic stands on the edge of the shore with the Pirates of Penzance, drinking sherry in celebration of his 21st Birthday when he informs them that he is going to leave. Ruth, the pirate's maid joins in to explain that as Frederic's former nursemaid she was asked by his Father to have him apprenticed to a ships pilot, but unfortunately in error, thought he said 'pirate'.
Frederic attempts to persuade the pirate king and his crew to leave with him and pursue a more honourable existence but the pirate king is not interested. Frederic offers some suggestions to the pirates to help them avoid regularly getting thrashed and achieve a little more success in their ventures. He tells them that almost everyone they capture claims to be an orphan as it is common knowledge that as former orphans themselves, the pirates will let them go.
Frederic and Ruth leave and Ruth, who is determined to marry him, convinces Frederic that she is really beautiful. Frederic has no other woman to compare her to and believes she is being honest. Unluckily for Ruth however, some beautiful maidens approach them and Frederic realises that Ruth has lied. Frederic turns to Ruth and says "You told me you were fair as gold and now I see you're plain and old." In complete despair, Ruth leaves. When Frederic approaches the maidens to warn them that there are a number of pirates nearby, he falls instantly in love with a girl called Mabel.
Ruth and the pirate king return and tell Frederic that it is not possible for him to leave. As Frederic was born on the 29th February, he has only had an actual birthday every leap year and the apprenticeship clearly states that he can only leave once he has reached his 21st birthday. So he must return to the pirates for 63 more years ! Poor Frederic is devastated at this revelation but being a lad with a real sense of duty, he agrees to return and his new found love promises she will wait!
A great introduction to light opera, the play is an amusing comedy opera and a great Victorian classic. It has remained a hit with audiences for more than 130 years.
The cast is made up of a kind hearted bunch of pirates, some gorgeous young maidens, a team of useless but lovely policemen and a major general with a silver tongue. Throughout the plot, a series of silly mistakes happen and lives are turned upside down.
Frederic is the fundamental character of the plot. He is a nice young man who is a reluctant apprentice pirate because of a slightly deaf nursemaid Ruth. Frederic stands on the edge of the shore with the Pirates of Penzance, drinking sherry in celebration of his 21st Birthday when he informs them that he is going to leave. Ruth, the pirate's maid joins in to explain that as Frederic's former nursemaid she was asked by his Father to have him apprenticed to a ships pilot, but unfortunately in error, thought he said 'pirate'.
Frederic attempts to persuade the pirate king and his crew to leave with him and pursue a more honourable existence but the pirate king is not interested. Frederic offers some suggestions to the pirates to help them avoid regularly getting thrashed and achieve a little more success in their ventures. He tells them that almost everyone they capture claims to be an orphan as it is common knowledge that as former orphans themselves, the pirates will let them go.
Frederic and Ruth leave and Ruth, who is determined to marry him, convinces Frederic that she is really beautiful. Frederic has no other woman to compare her to and believes she is being honest. Unluckily for Ruth however, some beautiful maidens approach them and Frederic realises that Ruth has lied. Frederic turns to Ruth and says "You told me you were fair as gold and now I see you're plain and old." In complete despair, Ruth leaves. When Frederic approaches the maidens to warn them that there are a number of pirates nearby, he falls instantly in love with a girl called Mabel.
Ruth and the pirate king return and tell Frederic that it is not possible for him to leave. As Frederic was born on the 29th February, he has only had an actual birthday every leap year and the apprenticeship clearly states that he can only leave once he has reached his 21st birthday. So he must return to the pirates for 63 more years ! Poor Frederic is devastated at this revelation but being a lad with a real sense of duty, he agrees to return and his new found love promises she will wait!
A great introduction to light opera, the play is an amusing comedy opera and a great Victorian classic. It has remained a hit with audiences for more than 130 years.
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