By Bronwyn Hastings

Amateur musical theatre group Horsham Arts Council will take to the stage for its annual production this week – a family-friendly reinterpretation of Gilbert and Sullivan classic The Pirates of Penzance.

Council secretary and vocal director Faye Johns said the performance presented ‘all sorts of fun and shenanigans’.

“It’s Essgee’s Pirates of Penzance – a comic opera that has been reinterpreted by Australian performer Simon Gallaher to modernise some of the jokes, lyrics and music,” she said.

“It’s about a bunch of pirates who aren’t very good – they don’t want to attack anyone smaller than them because they don’t want to be bullies.

“The antagonist is a pirate apprentice who doesn’t really want to be a pirate. He falls in love with Mabel and looks forward to completing his apprenticeship on his 21st birthday, but his February 29 birth date complicates things – there’s just all sorts of fun and shenanigans.

“The story is ridiculous, but that’s what makes it so funny.”

Mrs Johns said the council was excited to have a live orchestra for the show.

“We have had live bands every year, but it has been seven years since we had an orchestra. They have been working really hard to create some wonderful music,” she said.

The cast includes Nick Wilson in his first lead role since his performance in Bye Bye Birdie, Elle Teasdale in her first lead role after a minor lead in ‘Annie’, and Belinda Elliott as Ruth the nurse, who has headed many shows in the past.

“There is a cast of about 60 people, including 26 children making up our chorus of the police, in split casts each night,” Mrs Johns said.

“It’s been really good, we have a lot of past performers who have had a break and are back on stage.

“We also have some children involved who will share the stage with their parents, and that’s made it really special.”

Shows are at 2pm and 7.30pm on selected days between October 3 and 12, and tickets are priced from $30 – people can book online at www.horshamtownhall.com.au or at the Horsham Town Hall box office. 

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