Cast on the light side

Half the cast of Pirates of Penzance - soprano Alison Rae Jones, Brian Hannan and Phillip Gould.

By TANIA PHILLIPS

REMEMBER that old joke about how many people it takes to change a lightglobe?
Well the J are about to answer a similar question: “How many people does it take to perform an entire version of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirate of Penzance?”
And it seems, surprisingly, that the answer for the 20 February performance is six.
Just six – but what a six.
Taking on the role of the swashbuckling “Pirate King” is Young Talent Time original and star of Australian and London musical theatre Philip Gould.
Gould heads a bit of an all-star cast with well-known Australian actor Brian Hannan set to become the “very model of a modern Major-General”.
The female cast members include celebrated international soprano Alison Rae Jones, who joins the cast as Mabel – the role she played with the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company in the Savoy Theatre in London – along with Opera Australia mezzo Caroline Vercoe as Ruth.
Seasoned professional Chris McKenna will play the roles of Frederic and Edith, with Linda O’Brien taking the reins as musical director on piano and the critically-acclaimed Hugh Halliday as director.
J Venue co-ordinator Scott Braby said he was excited to welcome such a high calibre cast to Noosa for their one-night-only show.
“This promises to be a great night at the theatre for the whole family, featuring hit songs such as Cat Like Tread, Model of a Modern Major-General, Poor Wandering One and A Policeman’s Lot, to name a few.” Mr Braby said.
You can catch the Pirates of Penzance at The J on Friday 20 February. Tickets are available now. Buy your ticket before Friday midnight and pay only $33. All tickets are $38 per adult and $33 for concession and groups of six or more after the earlybird sales.