OPERA: THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE

Gilbert & Sullivan is a cash cow for Opera Australia, which knows audiences will flock to see anything written by this Victorian librettist and composer. You can almost hear the feet tapping away as Peter Carroll sings, at breakneck speed, one of the most popular patter songs ever written, I am the very model of a modern Major-General. The hero, Frederic, sung by Matthew Robinson, has just finished serving his apprenticeship with a band of soft-hearted pirates and falls in love with Mabel (Rosemarie Harris), the daughter of the Major-General. When Frederic discovers he was born on 29 February (which occurs only in leap years), he realises he must serve the pirates for another 63 years until he reaches his 21st birthday. The pirate king is sung by Anthony Warlow, who swaggers around the stage with disarming dexterity, and Suzanne Johnston brings pathos to the role of the old woman Ruth. Todd Keys replaced an indisposed Richard Alexander in the role of the Sergeant of Police and delighted the audience with his rendition of A policeman’s lot is not a happy one. This is a sparkling production guaranteed to please. Take the children. They’ll love it.

Until Nov 6, Sydney Opera House, $67-165, 9318 8200, opera-australia.org.au