Libretto by WS Gilbert
Music by Arthur Sullivan
G&S WA is proud to present one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most popular works, the much loved The Pirates of Penzance. We welcome Ian Westrip OAM, an old friend of the Gilbert & Sullivan Society to be joined by the well-known Kevin Langoulant in presenting this ever-popular production.
Director
Kevin Langoulant
Music Director
Ian Westrip OAM
Audition Notice
Production company: The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of WA
Casting Lead roles and Chorus – all ethnicities welcome!
Audition Dates
- Saturday, 28th Feburary 2026
- Sunday,
29th February(Oops 1st March 2026)
Show season: 11th – 20th June 2026 (9 performances) at Dolphin Theatre, Crawley.
To express interest or book an audition time contact Roger Starbuck –
M: 0428 763 468
E: auditions@gandswa.org.au
If you are unavailable on the weekend of 28th Feb / 1st March 2026, please send an email to Roger expressing your interest and he will advise of further auditions.
Please note the minimum age requirement for auditionees is 15 years of age as at the date of the auditions.
Synopsis
Young Frederic has finally reached his twenty-first birthday and freedom from his pirate apprenticeship. Though fond of the band of audacious buccaneers, he virtuously plans to dedicate himself to their destruction.
Shortly after leaving the pirates, Frederic encounters a bevy of beautiful maidens. Among them is Mabel, who immediately captures his heart. When the bold and brazen pirates appear, threatening the young ladies and their father, the eccentric Major-General Stanley, disaster is narrowly averted with a desperate deception.
Frederic gathers a troupe of timid policemen to vanquish the Pirate King once and for all. But a startling revelation threatens to upend everything. Will duty triumph over love? Can the cowardly constables conquer the tender-hearted corsairs?
A riotous tale of mistaken identity, paradoxes and preposterous predicaments, The Pirates of Penzance lampoons duty, honour and the rigid class structures of Victorian society with Gilbert’s razor-sharp wit and Sullivan’s gloriously hummable melodies.
Please join us for this rollicking classic of Gilbert and Sullivan!
Audition Notes
Auditions will take place at the G&S WA Hall, corner Lemana Rd & Ravenswood Court, Nollamara unless otherwise advised.
Please prepare a song that is in the style of Gilbert & Sullivan or similar operetta and bring a copy of the piano accompaniment for our pianist to play. If you are auditioning for a principal role, please prepare two songs of contrasting styles.
Audition Format
Please arrive 10 minutes before your audition time to allow time to register.
- Arrive to register and warm up.
- Individual readings and vocals.
Rehearsals & Additional notes
Rehearsals are scheduled for Mondays and Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons unless otherwise advised. You may not be required for all of these scheduled times; all cast and crew will receive detailed rosters during the rehearsal period. The first call will be a “Meet & Greet” on Monday, 16th March 2026.
If you would like to volunteer to help out behind-the-scenes i.e. props, costumes, set, bump-in etc. we would love to meet you! Please send an email to Max Page, Production Manager: productions@gandswa.org.au or Roger Starbuck Co-Production Manager to discuss further.
The Characters (for guidance only)
Major-General Stanley (Light Baritone) – a highly recognizable character who sings perhaps the most famous patter song in the repertoire but has a lot of other interesting things as well.
The Pirate King (Bass-baritone) – a pirate with a soft side to his nature. A great character role.
Samuel (Baritone) – the King’s lieutenant.
Frederic (Tenor) – the romantic lead with a conscience.
Sergeant of Police (Bass) – great comic numbers sending up the British police!
Mabel (Soprano) – one of the Major General’s daughters and somewhat of a prig (along with Frederic). “Poor wand’ring one” requires high-register vocal control.
Edith, Kate (Mezzo-sopranos) – quite a bit of ensemble work.
Ruth (Contralto) – a strong personality in major ensembles and solos.
ENSEMBLE – Company of sopranos, altos, tenor and bass singers and dancers; citizens of Utopia (all any age, any ethnicity, any gender presentation)