Open Air Theatre at Raby Castle
Set against the stunning backdrop of Raby Castle, join Illyria Theatre for a lively open-air performance of the much-loved comic opera, The Pirates of Penzance. This family-friendly event is perfect for children of all ages, offering an afternoon of laughter, music and entertainment for the whole family.
Frederic was accidentally apprenticed to a band of pirates as a child and believes he is finally free when he reaches his 21st birthday. Determined to leave piracy behind and dedicate his life to their destruction, he bids farewell to the Pirate King and sets his sights on a brighter future with his beloved Mabel.
However, there is a catch. Born on 29 February, Frederic has technically celebrated only four birthdays. According to the small print of his apprenticeship contract, he must remain bound to the pirates until he has reached his 21st birthday in leap years – leaving him with another 63 years of service ahead.
With only the well-meaning constabulary of Penzance to defend him, can Frederic escape his fate? And will Mabel be willing to wait until he is 84?
Performed by a talented six-strong cast of actor-singers, accompanied by a fully orchestrated score, this sparkling production features some of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most famous songs, including “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General”, “A Policeman’s Lot Is Not a Happy One”, and “Oh, Better Far to Live and Die (The Pirate King)”.
Packed with unforgettable music, witty satire and laugh-out-loud comedy, The Pirates of Penzance remains as fresh, entertaining and relevant today as when it first premiered. A perfect evening of outdoor theatre for audiences of all ages.
Notes on Performance
- Doors open at 5:30pm, so bring a picnic and come and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
- Seating isn’t provided by the venue so please make sure to bring your own – chairs, picnics, blankets and any other low-backed accessories are welcome.
- In case of rain, please don’t bring umbrellas as they block sight-lines for other audience members. Ponchos and raincoats are just as fetching, so please wear these instead.
- This is an outdoors performance and surfaces may be uneven – if you have any access related questions ahead of the performance please get in touch!
