The Pirates of Penzance!

About the show

This beloved musical comedy comes to Wantage ... but with a fresh look!

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 birthdays and leap years. Ready now to live an honest life, but still part of 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.