Musical Theatre in Sydney has dwindled over the past 20 years with the gap widening between small community theatre offerings and the large scale overseas productions. It is truely refreshing to see the creation of Hayes Theatre Co in 2014. Using top class talent — anything from legendary veterans to up and coming stars — Hayes produce small scale productions featuring new local works and trimmed down classic favourites.
Last year they produced a fresh and ambitious version of The Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert and Sullivan which toured in NSW and ACT. This May and June 2026 they have returned to Sydney central for a season at the recently opened (2025) Foundry Theatre. If you’ve not visited the Foundry before, it is an ingenious creative space activation of the Lyric Theatre Rear Stage which is inside The Star complex. Never originally designed for an audience, you have some sneaky corridors to walk along and will discover toilets and a snack / wine bar as you journey to your destination. With tiered seating for the majority of the audience, then sofas and bar stools on either side of the apron (lower stage area), the room is wide and shallow providing an up close, intimate performance space. Audience participation is not obligatory but very much encouraged for this show. The Pirates of Penzance, written in the late 1800s, features many well known songs where the chorus part is relatively easy to pick up and sing along.
Adapting Gilbert and Sullivan shows to include a contemporary perspective, with the latest rhythms, dance moves or quips about politicians, has been a long standing tradition over the decades. This version, however, goes much further. Director Richard Carroll and Musical Supervisor Victoria Falconer have put in an incredible amount of effort, to not only modernise the music but also, to trim the deadwood and a large number of live branches as well. All your favourite songs are in there, some updated (you might want to bring a spare pair of undies to throw at Frederic) whilst the more beautiful tunes are preserved and sensitively served as poignantly as they would have 150 years ago. The cast has been slimmed down to just 5 very talented and versatile cast members. If you are familiar with the story, you know this is literally not possible. Carroll and Falconer have used every resource including props, pantomime gags and audience members to bolster the cast numbers in times of need. The result is hilarious.
In the role of the Pirate King “and more” is Jay Laga’aia, much loved by his audiences over the years and providing a solid foundation rock from which the storyline and the other performers can launch. Brittany Shipway is Ruth, Mabel “and more” expertly switching costumes, accents and singing styles. Maxwell Simon is perfectly cast as the gorgeous, rogue lad Frederic, Jonathon Holmes bounces from one keyboard to the next, joining the others on stage and quick changing costumes when you least expect it. Sarah Murr has “and more” more than anyone else, to the point of struggling to keep up with the costume changes. These five artists work so beautifully together, no doubt adding variations to each performance so no two shows are the same.
As mentioned before, the super large scale productions we often see in the biggest stages must be tightly rehearsed with very little variation in order to keep driving through the storyline. In contrast, The Pirates of Penzance is full flowing, rich in expression, spontaneity and comedy that will have you laughing till you cry.
The season runs until 7 June. Dress casual, dress in costume, dress up to the nines – it’s entirely up to you. Take your drink in with you to enjoy during the performance. It is highly recommended you attend early so you can then go again and take even more friends with you when you realise what a great night out this is.
Artists: Jay Laga’aia, Brittany Shipway, Maxwell Simon, Jonathon Holmes, Sarah Murr
Director: Richard Carroll
Musical Supervisor and Arranger: Victoria Falconer
Assistant Director and Choreographer: Shannon Burns
Sets: Nick Fry
Costumes: Lily Mateljan
Lighting: Jasmine Rizk
Sound: Daniel Herten
The Foundry Theatre website for bookings: https://www.foundrytheatre.com.au/the-pirates-of-penzance
Hayes Theatre Company: https://hayestheatre.com.au/
