A milestone passed in 2024 - one that STAGES had every intention of acknowledging… but time just got away.

It was 40 years since we saw the Australian premiere of a dynamic new production of Gilbert & Sullivans - The Pirates of Penzance.  A legendary production in the   repertoire of musical theatre on our stages, for it marked the first for many young performers - and also happened to be the first musical to occupy the Victorian Arts Centre during their Summer season.

Co-produced by Victorian State Opera, The Australian Elizabethan trust and the Victorian Arts Centre the production boasted a stellar creative team that included Noel Ferrier and Ken McKenzie Forbes as Executive Producers, Roger Barratt overseeing Lighting, Andrew Greene as Musical Director, John Scandratt on Sound, Ray Golden as Wardrobe Master and Americans John Ferraro and Craig Schaefer as Director and Choreographer.

The production showcased the extraordinary talents of Jon English as The Pirate King, Simon Gallaher as Frederic, June Bronhill as Ruth, David Atkins as the Police Sergeant and in her breakout role as Mabel Stanley, the glorious Marina Prior.

In Australia, The Pirates of Penzance has enjoyed a multitude of productions with State and National Opera Companies, G&S Societies, School productions, Amateur theatre and a further reimagined and triumphant production with Simon Gallaher’s production house - Essgee productions.

Like the STAGES celebration episode of the original Australian production of the musical vaudeville CHICAGO at 40 … here’s another STAGES composite episode garnered from conversations with many of the pirates, policemen and sisters who were a part of the legendary production of The Pirates of Penzance.

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