Climb aboard, me hearties!
The Pirates of Penzance is a fast, funny adventure about growing up, breaking rules, and trying to do the right thing—sometimes way too literally. Frederic has just turned 21 and is finally free from his unwanted apprenticeship to a band of pirates, thanks to a ridiculous mix-up involving misheard comms. Ready now to live an honest life, but still teamed up with the pirates’ tough-talking but soft-hearted crew, he stumbles across a group of girls having fun on the beach and falls instantly for Mabel, a sharp, fearless young woman who knows exactly what she wants.
What follows is a whirlwind of swordplay, secret identities, over-the-top police officers, and one very dramatic Major-General who definitely has something to hide. Packed with catchy songs, clever jokes, and surprisingly relatable themes about loyalty, love, and finding your own path, The Pirates of Penzance feels less like a dusty classic and more like a high-energy musical comedy that still knows how to roast authority and cheer for the underdog.
What follows is a whirlwind of swordplay, secret identities, over-the-top police officers, and one very dramatic Major-General who definitely has something to hide. Packed with catchy songs, clever jokes, and surprisingly relatable themes about loyalty, love, and finding your own path, The Pirates of Penzance feels less like a dusty classic and more like a high-energy musical comedy that still knows how to roast authority and cheer for the underdog.
What the audiences said ....
What a high wattage opening to this production... the cast erupted into the theatre in a boisterous burst of energy. It is worth the trip to Wantage, as this is G&S like you've never seen it before! (Daily Info Oxford)
Had an ABSOLUTE BLAST watching the show tonight! It was full of laughs and I would recommend everyone to go and see this. (JW, by WhatsApp)
Congrats to all the cast and crew. All the hard work certainly paid off and you have a great show - I could tell everyone was having so much fun - enjoy the remaining shows (TD, Headington)
Just been to opening night. It was fantastic - sides sore with laughing! (BD, Isle of Wight)
Wow! What a joyous evening - That has to go down as one of the best! So funny and energetic. Still thinking about 'Ruth's' wonderful rendition of the Pilot/Pirate song... Casting, choreography, music, singing, costume, set - all terrific. Thank you! (JR, Wantage)
Loved the show - such clear singing and so much energy. The casting could not have been better. (BJ, Wantage)
I had a wonderful evening - the show was absolutely fantastic. The energy from the cast, the orchestra and the whole production team was infectious, and there were some truly outstanding performances! (AP, Abingdon)
The show this evening was just fabulous, amazing! The singing and the orchestra were wonderful, the staging brilliant and the choreography was fantastic - your shows just get better and better! (JC, Wantage)
A Great night, the show was a real blast - energy, enthusiasm, pace humour, intricate and entertaining choreography. All this was underpinned with outstanding vocal and physical performances from the cast. Everyone involved should be rightly proud of their collective and individual achievement. (AP, Cowley)
Such a great evening watching Pirates tonight. Couldn't fault it - such brilliant performances and a great show (MK, Faringdon)
I went to the show this evening. It was just fabulous, amazing. The singing and the orchestra were wonderful, the staging brilliant and the choreography was fantastic - the shows just get better and better. Thank you xxx (JC, Wantage)
Another excellent production; what a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon, with great acting, lots of laughs and live music and singing! (AE-W, Towcester)
What a cracking production! Bursting with energy and movement, constantly inventive choreography, fine and characterful singing with every word audible, witty modernising touches not undermining but enhancing the wit of Gilbert's words, and just a few moments of genuine tenderness to heighten the general hilarity. Too many individual standouts to name, and this isn't a review but a congratulation all round. I left with tears of musical theatre joy running down my cheeks. (EB, Steventon)
Wow what a performance!!. I am not a great lover of G &S, however I was in awe of the enthusiasm, energy and talent that you have nurtured into an unforgettable evening. Thank you so much. Congratulations to all involved. (CE, Hanney)
Congrats to all the cast and crew. All the hard work certainly paid off and you have a great show - I could tell everyone was having so much fun - enjoy the remaining shows (TD, Headington)
Just been to opening night. It was fantastic - sides sore with laughing! (BD, Isle of Wight)
Wow! What a joyous evening - That has to go down as one of the best! So funny and energetic. Still thinking about 'Ruth's' wonderful rendition of the Pilot/Pirate song... Casting, choreography, music, singing, costume, set - all terrific. Thank you! (JR, Wantage)
Loved the show - such clear singing and so much energy. The casting could not have been better. (BJ, Wantage)
I had a wonderful evening - the show was absolutely fantastic. The energy from the cast, the orchestra and the whole production team was infectious, and there were some truly outstanding performances! (AP, Abingdon)
The show this evening was just fabulous, amazing! The singing and the orchestra were wonderful, the staging brilliant and the choreography was fantastic - your shows just get better and better! (JC, Wantage)
A Great night, the show was a real blast - energy, enthusiasm, pace humour, intricate and entertaining choreography. All this was underpinned with outstanding vocal and physical performances from the cast. Everyone involved should be rightly proud of their collective and individual achievement. (AP, Cowley)
Such a great evening watching Pirates tonight. Couldn't fault it - such brilliant performances and a great show (MK, Faringdon)
I went to the show this evening. It was just fabulous, amazing. The singing and the orchestra were wonderful, the staging brilliant and the choreography was fantastic - the shows just get better and better. Thank you xxx (JC, Wantage)
Another excellent production; what a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon, with great acting, lots of laughs and live music and singing! (AE-W, Towcester)
What a cracking production! Bursting with energy and movement, constantly inventive choreography, fine and characterful singing with every word audible, witty modernising touches not undermining but enhancing the wit of Gilbert's words, and just a few moments of genuine tenderness to heighten the general hilarity. Too many individual standouts to name, and this isn't a review but a congratulation all round. I left with tears of musical theatre joy running down my cheeks. (EB, Steventon)
Wow what a performance!!. I am not a great lover of G &S, however I was in awe of the enthusiasm, energy and talent that you have nurtured into an unforgettable evening. Thank you so much. Congratulations to all involved. (CE, Hanney)
Images from our pre-dress Rehearsal
with thanks to our friend Mel Taylor ...
See more on our PHOTOS page
Images from our Wednesday dress Rehearsal - including the Pirate King!
with thanks to our friend Paul Mounford-Lister ...
See more on our PHOTOS page
A few shots from wk -2 Rehearsal
with thanks to our friend Paul Mountford-Lister ...
Ahoy Cast !
with thanks to Mel Taylor for the headshots
The Pirate King : MATT WHEELER
Pirate Sam: ANDY THOMAS
Frederic: JOSHUA McFARLAND
Ruth: LIZ WAGNER
Mabel Stanley: GRACE ANDERSON
Major General Stanley: TIM KAUFMANN
Police Sergeant: NEIL CLARK
The Pirates:
AARON THOMAS ¦ JACK CHECKETTS
AMY WILSON ¦ DUNCAN SINCLAIR ¦ EMMELINE MALINE
GRACE ANDERSON ¦ KITTY WRIGHT ¦ LOUISE REID ¦ NATE CONWAY
NEIL CLARK ¦ TASH AMORY ¦ TIM KAUFMANN ¦ TIM ROBERTS
The Stanley Sisters:
AMY WILSON ¦ EMMELINE MALINE ¦ KITTY WRIGHT ¦ TASH AMORY
The Police:
DUNCAN SINCLAIR ¦ LOUISE REID ¦ NATE CONWAY ¦ TIM ROBERTS
AARON THOMAS ¦ AMY WILSON ¦ ANDY THOMAS ¦ EMMELINE MALINE
JACK CHECKETTS ¦ KITTY WRIGHT ¦ TASH AMORY