For the first time ever, Hayes Theatre Co brings The Pirates of Penzance, one of its landmark productions to the Foundry Theatre stage, tonight, with the official opening night on Friday 15 May 2026.
After a sold-out extended season at Hayes in 2025, plus visits to Wyong, Wollongong and Canberra, Hayes Theatre Co-Artistic Directors Richard Carroll and Victoria Falconer will raise the Jolly Roger once again as they revive their acclaimed version of The Pirates of Penzance.
Madcap, hilarious and bursting with invention, Carroll’s sparkling new adaptation harnesses the irreverent, genre-busting spirit of Gilbert & Sullivan’s sprawling satirical masterwork and launches it into the 21st century with raucous new life. And the wildest part? Just five actors play every role.
Original cast members Jay Laga’aia (The Pirate King and others), Brittanie Shipway (Ruth and Mabel) and Maxwell Simon (Frederic) return to the motley pirate crew once again, joined by new recruits Jonathan Holmes (The Major-General and others), Sarah Murr (Isabel, Barry and others) and Tana Laga’aia (swing).
Together, this fearless ensemble conjures a world of pirates, lovers, sisters, major-generals, and many, many more. Transforming in an instant as costumes, voices and characters fly past at breakneck speed, it’s a breathtaking theatrical feat, with no safety net and truly “all hands on deck”.
A “riotous example” of Carroll and Falconer’s famous “What if?” approach to theatre-making, the production was hailed by the Sydney Morning Herald as “a stroke of hilarious genius.”
“Hayes shows thrive on being inventive, nimble and always entertaining, which aligns perfectly with the vision behind the Foundry Theatre. We’ve been looking for the right moment to bring a show to this space, and our rollicking, rowdy Gilbert & Sullivan reimagining is the ultimate way to kick off this exciting new partnership,” said Richard Carroll.
“There is a specific magic built into the DNA of every Hayes production – an intimacy that we know will translate beautifully to an innovative space like the Foundry Theatre. Expanding our reach to new spaces, creative partnerships and bigger audiences isn’t just a growth milestone, it paves an ambitious pathway that will directly fuel the creativity and scope of future Hayes productions,” said Victoria Falconer.
This is Gilbert & Sullivan like you’ve never seen it before; a full throttle tour de force, as five wildly outnumbered actors (swash) buckle up for an epic voyage.
“this inventive adaptation of Gilbert and Sullivan’s beloved operetta is an absolute gem and a must-see for both long-time fans and newcomers alike.” – Australian Arts Review
The Pirates of Penzance
Foundry Theatre (at the Sydney Lyric Theatre), Pirrama Road, Pyrmont (Sydney)
Season: 12 May – 7 June 2026
Bookings: www.ticketmaster.com.au
For more information, visit: www.foundrytheatre.com.au for details.
Image: Brittanie Shipway and Jay Laga’aia in The Pirates of Penzance – photo by John McCrae