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The Pirates of Penzance or The Slave of Duty at the Hayes Theatre


The G&S classic… re-wired and re-booted.

(Swash) buckle up for an epic voyage…

Hayes Artistic Directors Richard Carroll and Victoria Falconer harness the irreverent, genre-busting spirit of a sprawling, satirical, musical masterwork, and bring it to raucous new life for a 21st-century audience. This brand-new, boisterously joyful adaptation is brought to life by just four bold performers.

Between them, this intrepid quartet bring to life:

  • The Pirate King, devoted to a life of swashbuckling and skullduggery – as long as the hours aren’t too demanding.

  • Ruth, the nursemaid who hasn’t been entirely truthful, but who reveals a natural talent and appetite for piracy.

  • Mabel, a young woman thirsty for new experiences (and just plain thirsty).

  • Frederic, our young hero thrown into an existential battle between his old and new worlds by a series of irritating administrative errors.

  • A Major-General devoted to respectability, but tormented by the shame he has brought onto his ancestors-by-purchase.

  • Plus; the motley pirate crew, a troupe of singing police recruits, Mabel’s eclectic group of sisters; and the faithful piratical accomplice/pianist, Fish Cake.

Book onstage seating to really be a part of the action!

Event Details:

  • Dates: 14 February to 16th March 2025

  • Times:
    Tuesday – Saturday 7:30pm
    Thursday 1:00pm
    Saturday 2:00pm
    Sunday 5:00pm

    *No matinee performance on Thu 20 Feb
    *Post show Q&A on Tuesday 25 February
    *Captioned performance on Wednesday 5 March

  • Duration: Approximately 2 hours – including interval

  • Ages: Not specified

  • Location: Hayes Theatre

  • Onstage seating: There are multiple onstage seating options for this performance, including Sofas, an Armchair and Table Seating. All chairs are cushioned, upholstered furniture. Table seating includes high stools.

  • Warnings: Some mildly salty language, comically inept stage combat, and risk of spontaneous harmonica. Also, theatrical haze and flashing lights.

  • Notes:

    Wheelchair Accessible

    Captioned Performance - WED 5 MAR

More info & tickets here.