Sky Arts - The Pirates of Penzance

The Pirates of Penzance Performers
Pirate King: Jon English
Frederic: Simon Gallaher
Ruth: Toni Lamond
Mabel: Helen Donaldson
Major-General Stanley: Derek Metzger
Samuel: Marc James
Sergeant: Tim Tyler

D'Oyly Carte / Victoria State Opera
Kevin Hocking (conductor)

Director
Peter Butler

Producer
Cameron Kirkpatrick

A spectacular, rollicking staging of one of Gilbert and Sullivan's most popular comedies, which had Australian critics in raptures on a national tour.

To anyone who lo ves music theatre, 'G and S' means melody, irreverence, wit and fun - but Gilbert and Sullivan were men eternally at loggerheads. The man who brought these opposites together, Richard D'Oyly Carte, managed - with difficulty - to fire their artistic enthusiasm while, for the most part, patching up their quarrels. He built London's Savoy Theatre, the home of a permanent company to perform their comic operas.

Known collectively as 'the Savoy operas', Gilbert and Sullivan's works instantly captured the imagination of the British theatre-going public, surpassing even Offenbach in popularity and quickly becoming classics of family entertainment.

Following Thespis in 1871, the pair wrote Trial By Jury (1875), The Sorcerer (1877), HMS Pinafore (1878), The Pirates of Penzance (1880), Patience (1881), Iolanthe (1882), Princess Ida (1884), The Mikado (1885), Ruddigore (1887), The Yeomen of the Guard (1888), The Gondoliers (1889), Utopia Limited (1893) and The Grand-Duke (1896).

For more than a hundred years, the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company were the professional custodians of Gilbert and Sullivan until 1982. The company was recently re-formed in Birmingham, with one of its major successes being The Pirates of Penzance, a co-production with the Victoria State Opera, directed by Australia's Stuart Maunder.

This is a riotous production of an old favourite which is sure to have you humming "I am the very model of a modern Major-General" for days afterwards...

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Latest comments

Lesley Rigby

Sun 2 November 2008, 10:56

is there a dvd available of this production.

Trevor Nicholls

Wed 5 November 2008, 14:48

What a wonderfull performance, could watch it again and again.
When is it on again.

Sheila Johnson

Tue 11 November 2008, 23:37

Hi Trevor Nicholls,
Have contacted Sky Arts and been told Pirates of Penzance will be shown again at 9.30 am 25th December. A Christmas Day treat!
And Hi Lesley Rigby,
Yes, there is a dvd, but not for UK region or PAL format according to our research

Sheila Johnson

Thu 13 November 2008, 01:09

Update for Leslie Rigby: results of further research
Go to http://essgee.com then to Shopping Mall page then to DVDs Copy of P of P suitable for UK is an extra AUD $5 (about £2) Mikado and HMS Pinafore play straight onto our equipment.
Hope last comment didn’t put you off track.

Roger Smith

Sat 29 November 2008, 18:08

I so enjoyed the Pirates of Penzance by the Australian company I would love to purchase the DVD of this show and any other Guilbert and Sullivan shows by the sme company
Are these available? Do you have the numbers of the DVDs?
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Roger Smith

Claire

Fri 26 December 2008, 16:27

just found pirates of penzance at amazon, region 1 ntsc one copy per purchase only. looking forward to watching it again!

Mike Forrest

Thu 1 January 2009, 20:57

Just caught the third act of this production on New Years Day morning. Wonderful. Any chance of it being broadacst again?

Dave Barber

Wed 7 January 2009, 21:13

I have now seen this production 3 times - absolutely fabulous production - unfortunately my other half only caught the last 15 minutes on New Years day.

Please Please Please tell me it is going to be repeated

Mike Forrest

Wed 25 February 2009, 20:18

Pirates repeated Sunday March 1st 2100 hrs
Also onMonday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd. See listings for times

Roy

Sun 8 March 2009, 19:47

Caught the second part of this wonderful production, Please relieve the misery and tell me it will be on again!
Also will you be screening any of the other productions from this wonderful cast, The Mikado and HMS Pinafore?

Pat McCann

Sun 8 March 2009, 23:39

Brilliant - Have caught it twice - but neither time all the way through! MUST see it again, when is it on next please?

John

Mon 9 March 2009, 23:08

I’ve caught it twice too - and still not seen it all the way through either! What a great production. I am searching for a region 2 DVD but sadly no luck so far. Has anybody out there found a source?

Joanne

Thu 19 March 2009, 21:15

Jon English who plays the pirate king had me in stitches from start to finish on each occasion i watched this production as did the major general.The facial expressions and timing is classic. A superb cast. Im a huge fan. I also watched a production many years ago of the Mikado - i remember a reference or two to John Major in one of the songs, so this shows the time that has passed. Does anybody remember it ? or know where to get a copy of that ?. Again this was a brilliant show.

William Davidson

Sat 18 April 2009, 16:10

Fantastic .The Pirates!!!..yes there is a dvd of this show.I sent to Australia for a copy .I live in Scotland ,So go on get a copy. It will take 2 weeks to arrive , but it is worth the wait. I watch it every other night..

William Davidson

Sat 18 April 2009, 16:21

Oh silly me the web site for the Pirates DVD as follows ESSGEE.COM. good luck.

Brian Britten

Fri 19 June 2009, 18:44

Enraptured with this production but I cannot locate a supplier who can offer a UK zone DVD. Can anyone please advise me at I do have an original programme!
Please get back to me soonest. Many thanks, Brian

Tom McPhillips

Sun 21 June 2009, 11:29

The ESSGEE.COM website offers UK buyers a region free copy for a small charge with the purchase of the Region 4 disc. I’m sure there will be a Region 2 release for this superb production but who knows when. Swansea Opera performed the Essgee version of Pinafore recently and will be doing Pirates next year. A must see show.

Alan Jones

Wed 12 August 2009, 22:17

We have just discovered “Pirates” on Sky Arts. What a hoot and an unbelievable performance by a fantastic cast. Unbelievable choreography. My wife, who has had a lifetime dislike of G&S;, has admitted she can’t stop watching this production. Jon English her favourite of course. Needless to say we have ordered a DVD trilogy set from Essgee, Thanks for the contact details. Why on earth was it never released in the UK? Regards to all. Alan

kr everitt

Fri 14 August 2009, 22:04

Hi just
to say an amazing and congradulations to the cast an the musical director,and the standard of production is one of the best I have seen for a long time as this music is so familar to me as I worked with a person who sang many of the songs as he was involved in an local theatre company and after a while I knew the words of the songs,thanks for bringing a great show to the uk. Best Wishes.Ken Everitt

Lis Richards

Sat 15 August 2009, 16:45

Like so many other, once again I missed the bulk of this performance - have now seen several bits! Please - is it going to be repeated? If so, does anyone know when? Parents were HUGE G&S;fans, so I grew up with it - this is one of the best yet! Thanks for any information. Lis

jan dick

Sat 15 August 2009, 18:00

only caught bits but an absolutley fantastic performance, trying to see when it is on again to watch the whole thing and record iut this time...is it going to be on sometime soon ? Jon English as the pirate king had me in stitches.

Mike Powell

Sun 16 August 2009, 20:33

This was a brilliant production. Just cannot be faulted. Tried ordering the 3 DVD set from Essgee in Austrailia but they only accept CREDIT cards - no debit cards. I don’t use credit cards - never have - has anyone had similar problem?

Phil Hampson

Wed 19 August 2009, 17:27

I have been a pro musician for over 40 years and never really appreciated G&S;- I knew what it was, but never took the trouble to attend performances, watch them onTV or give them much thought… until I saw - and recorded - the EssGee version on SkyArts last week. Jon English should be Knighted! What a fantastic performance. The running gags with the open shirt and the sword blade were inspired. He, Tim Tyler and the rest have brought G&S;to life for me. Brilliant. Absolutely Brilliant. Only problem was that recording in HD produced a 4:3 picture ratio but I do have the standard definition 16:9 and I am more than happy with that. Fantastic!

Valerie Sheffield

Sat 22 August 2009, 18:10

I have watched Pirates of Penzance with Joh English at every opportunity. Can we please have more G and S. Jon English is also in The Mikado please please can we also see this show.

Josie Thomas

Tue 25 August 2009, 22:34

Does anyone know when this will be shown again? The last time I saw it was Christmas Day, and I’ve missed it a few times since then! I really want to see it again, I love it so much!

David Jones

Wed 21 October 2009, 18:53

Watched Pirates tonight and have never laughed so much.
Please please can anybody tell me where I can get a copy.

Ian Gerrard

Wed 21 October 2009, 22:27

Watched it again this afternoon. Brilliant. Where’s the DVD for English addicts?

Mick Rumble

Thu 22 October 2009, 04:39

Does any one know if Pirates will be shown again this year

Ian Docker

Sat 24 October 2009, 11:49

We would like to purchase a copy of this DVD if possible

George Craigen

Thu 5 November 2009, 23:13

Please, please - next showing date on Sky Arts??

gavtatu

Sun 8 November 2009, 13:43

incredible production! so so funny!
it is on youtube if one needs a `fix`!

fiona walker

Sun 9 May 2010, 21:01

I’m with others on the sky arts comments page - do you at Sky ever read these pages and reply? Why is your page so utterly useless?!! I am a big G&S;fan, and particularly love the Essgee production of Pirates of Penzance. Would like to see their Mikado and HMS Pinafore as well. So, why, when I “search listings for this programme” do I only get todays Sky listings? I get that on my TV already!!! Not helpful. Would like to know when you will be showing this again - surely not too much to ask?

Jonathan Russell

Thu 27 May 2010, 11:07

What a travisty Gand S are spinning their graves

John

Thu 16 September 2010, 10:38

I’ve seen this weird production on Sky before and turned it off as soon as I realised it was the same one.
There are 3 close harmony women who may be known to the Aussies and a comedian who seems to be known to the Aussies
and between them make a mess of an enjoyable piece.
Perhaps one day some one will broadcast the D’Oyly Carte Mikado film with Valerie Masterson, John Reed etc. to show G&S;as it is normally performed. Until then you can see her performing “The Sun Whose Rays” on Utube to appreciate her wonderful diction.

Roger

Thu 16 September 2010, 17:24

Enjoyed G @ S since childhood. Half time in the Champions League stumbled upon Australian version of “Pirates” and stayed with it to the end. Not very often am I distracted from Soccer but on this occasion my wife and I were totally carried away by this hilarious and hugely entertaining interpretation of this favourite. Would love to see it again.

Nina

Fri 17 September 2010, 23:14

This is a fabulous production!!!!

My daughter and I have just finished watching it and could watch again and again. Provides the feel good factor every time!!!

Lesley Danenbergs

Sat 18 September 2010, 13:33

What a wonderful production, absolutely spellbinding and the choreography second to none. Must have the DVD to watch again and again. The whole cast so memorable and entertaining:
I felt as though I had been out for the evening even though I was sitting in my own living room. Just BRILLIANT.

Gaynor Pritchard

Sun 19 September 2010, 16:49

Caught this on Sky Arts - absolutely fabulous, every single cast member were fantastic, the singing, dancing, comic timing were impeccable, what a treat it must have been to have been there in the audience, they certainly got their moneys worth with this superb production and like the other comment, i also felt like i had been out for the evening. How fantastic was Jon English.

lesley james

Sun 19 September 2010, 20:01

once again missed this great show.i live in penzance so its nice to see this opera get a laugh.still can’t find a dvd looked everywhere,even play.com has’nt got a copy.can anyone out there help??????????

Debbie

Sun 3 October 2010, 22:25

Go to the Essgee.com website. They sell an Astralian region and one suitable for Europe. Approximately $32 Australian dollars. What a fantastic performance. All performers were wonderful, as well as Jon English, who is always good. Put it on soon, please Sky!

tom

Wed 6 October 2010, 00:07

are sky arts going to repeat p of p in the near future

ian

Wed 27 October 2010, 23:05

the wife bought a copy of the pirates of penzance dvd off amazon with jon english in.although it was a region 1 we tried it in our old xbox and it worked.

jane Parker

Thu 28 October 2010, 14:41

Saw Essgee Pirates when Sky did a G&S;season, and completely fell in love. Fabulous! Jon English the best Pirate king ever, and I just melt, whenever Simon Gallaher sings.
The whole production so full of energy and fun. i just had to have the DVD ( also bought Pinafore, just as much fun.) Thank you Sky. Please show them again!

Maggs

Thu 16 December 2010, 20:50

I think I must be getting cynical as I am getting older (not that old)!!! but didn’t enjoy this G and S production at all - having read all the rave reviews I was quite disappointed. I didn’t think Jon English had a good enough voice for the part even though I enjoyed his interpretation somehow he didn’t ‘float my boat’. As somebody commented earlier G and S must be spinning in their graves. I am a D’oyly Carte and Opera Australia fan having seen D’oyly Carte production in the 70s and not yet seen the new Opera Australia version yet but judging by the reviews I am certain I shall enjoy this more.

Simon

Wed 23 February 2011, 11:03

I saw the original production on stage in Australia in 1994. Absolutely loved it and have watched it literally 100s of times since then. I don’t think you could recreate the talent and brilliance of that production. I sat on front row, I was 9 years old and it was one of the first theatre shows I ever saw. I subsequently saw the other two G&S;shows they did “The Mikado” and “HMS Pinafore.” They also did a version of Sondheim’s “A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum.” I even met Jon English and Simon Gallagher. I am massive fans and it’s a shame that the planned productions overseas of Pirates never happened.

Steve

Sun 1 May 2011, 23:20

Hi can anyone help, I’ve got all three essgee g-s dvd’s but I carnt find anyone who sell’s the DVD of a funny thing happened on the way to the forum with Jon english ,essgee say they don’t own the rights to sell the DVD ,and I carnt find it on the web but clips of the show are on YouTube thanks steve.

Sandra mMades

Fri 27 May 2011, 12:00

Can I buy the DVD of the australian version of “Pirates of Penzance” starring Jon English _ it is a brilliant performance.

Yvonne Quinn

Sat 4 June 2011, 20:20

Pirates was brill please please repeat it I recorded it on my sky box but it didnt work I was devastated

Lois

Sun 21 August 2011, 16:54

Saw this version of pirates for the first time today. Absolutely fab. Never has ironing been so enjoyable as it was today whilst carried away with the whole performance. Please say it is to be repeated?

Sally

Sun 21 August 2011, 19:02

Caught the last half of this today with a couple of friends - please tell me it’s going to be repeated soon so we can see the whole thing!

Dick

Mon 22 August 2011, 07:38

Really fabulous performance. A real winner The aussies really do it inm such an unassuming way. They are neither too Gilbertian nor Sullivanesque.

Pauline

Tue 23 August 2011, 11:09

Not being a Gilbert & Sullivan fan I didn’t bother switching on ‘Pirates of Penzance’, on the numerous occassions it was on.
Then on Sunday 22nd Aug’ I was visiting a friend who was watching it, I only caught the last hour of it. it was brilliant, so unlike other productions which were so stuffy it had put me off G & S, now I am looking forward to the other productions e.g
‘The Mikado’ etc. as long as they are performed by the same Austrailian company,
Could you please tell me when ‘Pirates....’ will be repeated?

maggy mccloy

Sun 16 October 2011, 15:15

Glad to see that I’m not the only one who is addicted and want to watch it over and over again. Always thought people like that were ‘sad’ and needed to get a life, but Jon English and this production, who needs a life?

michelle

Tue 10 January 2012, 17:13

please sky arts can you show this again - i only managed to catch the second half last week and really want to see the whole thing

Loraine

Wed 18 January 2012, 19:43

I tried to get a copy of the DVD of Pirates from ebay but it only plays in region 1 wherever that is, so I got my money back.It is the funniest G&S;I have ever seen. How can I get a copy please?

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The Pirates of Penzance

A traditional production of the G&S favourite

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