All-Male THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE to Launch UK Tour This Spring

Originally seen at the Union Theatre in 2009, Sasha Regan's acclaimed all-male production of Gilbert & Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance will return for its first UK Tour, opening at Richmond Theatre on Wednesday 15 April 2015, with a press night on Thursday 16 April 2015.

A classic musical comedy of mistaken identity, The Pirates of Penzance follows young Frederic, a child apprenticed to a band of tender-hearted, orphaned pirates exploring the coastline in search of treasure and romance. It first opened in 1879 and was an immediate triumph for Gilbert and Sullivan, remaining to this day their most popular and successful collaboration. Now, Sasha Regan's critically acclaimed all-male production, a fresh and exquisitely funny re-imagining of this much-loved classic, returns to set sail across the UK.

From its humble beginnings playing to 50 people under a railway arch at the Union Theatre in Southwark, The Pirates of Penzance went on to win the 2010 WhatsOnStage Award for Best Off West End Production, and play sell-out runs at Wilton's Music Hall and Hackney Empire, before heading to Australia for a major national tour. The production now makes a welcome voyage home this Spring to tour the UK for the first time.

This revival of The Pirates of Penzance falls in the 15th Anniversary year for The Union Theatre, a year which will also see the theatre transfer to a brand new, purpose-built 100-seat space across the road in Southwark. The Union Theatre has developed an extraordinary reputation for reimagining musicals on the small scale, and is becoming known for its all-male productions of Gilbert and Sullivan, with HMS Pinafore also being re-imagined in 2013 to great acclaim.

The cast features Alan Richardson as Mabel, Samuel Nunn as Frederic, Alex Weatherhill as Ruth, James Waud as Sergeant of Police, Michael Burgen as Samuel, Ben Irish as Edith, Dale Page as Kate, Richard Russell Edwards as Connie, Chris Theo-Cook as Isabel. The ensemble company is completed by Joel Elferink, Joseph Houston, William Whelton, Matt Jolly, Tommy Knapp, Liam Lakin and Thomas Henson.

The Pirates of Penzance is directed by Sasha Regan who for 15 years has been artistic director of The Union Theatre, where directing credits include Sweeney Todd, Iolanthe, HMS Pinafore, Whistle Down The Wind, Cabaret and Love Story. It is choreographed by Lizzi Gee, whose recent work includes the BAFTA award-winning film Pride, the UK Tour of Annie Get Your Gun, A Winter's Tale for the RSC and Rocket to the Moon at the National Theatre. Lizzi is currently working on The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas for Chichester Festival Theatre.

The Pirates of Penzance is directed by Sasha Regan and choreographed by Lizzi Gee with musical direction by David Griffiths, design by Robyn Wilson Owen and lighting design by Jack Weir. It is produced by Regan De Wynter and Hilary A. Williams.

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