A swashbuckling adventure awaits visitors to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year as the Opera North Youth Chorus prepares to perform a new adaptation of Gilbert and Sullivan’s much-loved Pirates of Penzance.
Pirates Revisited has been written by John Savournin who sets the scene in a cluttered attic full of dusty boxes and forgotten things. As a group of curious children explore this treasure trove, they find a mysterious book which transports them to a world of piracy, intrigue and comic mishaps.
Conducted by Nicholas Shaw, Opera North Youth Chorus Master, the 40-minute show remains faithful to the spirit of The Pirates of Penzance with both music and dialogue from the original work. The group of 14 to 19-year olds will be performing at Greenside on Nicolson Square (venue 209) with shows at 12.45pm on Tuesday 7 August and on Wednesday 8 August.
ONYC's Pirates Revisited is set in an old attic with hidden secrets
While the ONYC have performed at many venues and festivals both in the U.K. and abroad, this will be their first time in Edinburgh. Emma Black, who is directing the production and who will also be assistant director on The Merry Widow in the upcoming autumn season, comments:
“The audience can expect the familiar G&S choruses that make Pirates so special, with a smattering of the original dialogue, and 23 incredibly talented young people singing and acting their socks off. To sum the production up in three words: uproarious, hilarious, joyous!”
Following their Scottish debut, the young people will return to home turf for a performance at The 25th International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival in Harrogate. They will be appearing at 2.30pm at Harrogate Theatre on Friday 10 August. Tickets cost £15.
