Victorian Opera sets sail for a swashbuckling summer as Gilbert & Sullivan’s uproarious The Pirates of Penzance storms the Palais Theatre from 31 January to 6 February 2026.
Bursting with much-loved music, Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta has long remained a crowd favourite with classics including I am the Very Model of a Modern Major General, Poor Wandering One and I am the Pirate King.
Ben Mingay and Antoinette Halloran lead the high-seas hijinks as the Pirate King and the long-suffering Ruth, following their acclaimed performances in Victorian Opera’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
They’re joined by a stellar local cast, including theatre veteran Richard Piper as the Major General, rising stars Nicholas Jones and Nina Korbe as Frederic and Mabel, and Christopher Hillier as the Sergeant of Police.
The cast is rounded out by a talented ensemble of emerging artists and features several current and former Victorian Opera scholarship recipients. This includes 2026 Opera Prize winners Rachael Joyce (Edith), Bailey Montgomerie and Alessia Pintabona (Kate), as well as past winners Douglas Kelly (Samuel) and Syrah Torii (Isabel). This hilarious production will be directed by Stuart Maunder AM and conducted by James Pratt.
“There is no theatrical phenomenon with more staying power than Gilbert & Sullivan productions. For generations of Australians, their first G&S experience in a theatre is iconic,” said Maunder.
“It’s a work that delivers joy for all ages and one to bring along the kids! As a show that begins with a 21st birthday party, what could be a better way to open Victorian Opera’s 21st anniversary season. Join the party and celebrate the milestone!”
Conductor: James Pratt | Director: Stuart Maunder | Featuring: Ben Mingay, Antoinette Halloran, Nicholas Jones, Nina Korbe, Richard Piper, Christopher Hillier, Douglas Kelly, Rachael Joyce, Alessia Pintabona, Syrah Torii, Megan Baker, Lachlan Bartlett, Alastair Cooper-Golec, Eamon Dooley, Shakira Dugan, Declan Farr, Genevieve Gray, Georgie Grech, Hanlon Innocent, Chloe James, Luke London, Bailey Montgomerie, Joshua Morton-Galea, Sidra Nissen, Kiran Rajasingam, Rebecca Rashleigh, Henry Shaw, Nicholas Sheppard, Darcy Wain, Orchestra Victoria | Choreographer & Assistant Director: Elizabeth Hill-Cooper | Set Designer: Richard Roberts | Costume Designer: Roger Kirk | Lighting Designer: Trudy Dalgleish
The Pirates of Penzance
Palais Theatre, Lower Esplanade, St Kilda
Season: 31 January – 6 February 2026
Information and Bookings: www.victorianopera.com.au
Image: The Pirates of Penzance (supplied)