Written by Gilbert and Sullivan The Pirates of Penzance was first performed in New York on Dec 31 1879. One day after it was presented in London, England

Since then it has become one of the most performed of their plays.

I believe in the play that this Ruth, Frederic’s nurse and pirate maid. The other characters were Frederic, a pirate apprentice who had been indentured to the pirates but on reaching the age of 21 decided to leave the pirate trade. However, a technicality – being born on February 29. means he is not reached his 21’st birthday and so much return to being a pirate.

• Mabel (soprano)
• Pirate King (baritone)
• Police Sergeant (bass)
• Major-General Stanley (baritone)
• Pirates, police, General Stanley’s daughters