Pirates set sail at Itchen Valley this autumn

This year, we have something new and exciting coming to our High Hill Field Saturday 19 September…

Bring the whole family to this modern Illyria outdoor theatre production for an evening filled with fun, song and music on the seven seas!

Performed by a six-strong cast of actor/singers with fully orchestrated accompaniment, The Pirates of Penzance boasts such gloriously memorable songs as “To be a Pirate King!”; “Modern Major General” and “A Policeman’s Lot is Not a Happy One”. With razor sharp satire and glittering wit, it remains as fresh as if it had been written today.

The production is suitable for all ages and is based on the nineteenth century Gilbert & Sullivan comic opera.

Please bring your own low-back seating and picnic blankets and get comfy in this unique outdoor performance!

Doors open at 2.30pm, and the performance starts at 3pm lasting approx. 120 minutes with a 20-minute interval.

The synopsis

Frederick, accidentally apprenticed to Pirates as a child, is indentured to the Pirate King until his 21st birthday.

On the day he reaches 21 he leaves the ship, announcing that he now intends to dedicate his life to the Pirates’ destruction. The Pirate King checks the contract’s small print – and realises that as Frederick’s birthday is 29th February on a leap year he has only had four birthdays and is actually indentured for another 63 years.

With only the Penzance constabulary to protect him, will Frederick be forced to serve the pirates until he is 84? And will his sweetheart, Mabel, wait for him that long?

Join us for a swashbuckling adventure!