Gilbert & Sullivan’s timeless comic opera The Pirates of Penzance – with its sentimental pirates, hapless policemen, inept Major-General and bevy of beautiful daughters – performed by a cast of just five?

Richard Carroll, who adapted and directs this production for the Hayes Theatre Co says in his program notes it was the “sheer audacity” of the idea that appealed to him and his co-Artistic Director, Victoria Falconer.

Brittanie Shipway, Jay Laga ‘aia, Billie Palin, Trevor Jones and Maxwell Simon in The Pirates of Penzance. Photo © John McCrae

It sure is audacious and, for the most part, the adaptation works a treat, with the terrific cast of five rising to the challenge, though structurally the first act is more successful than the second.

The riotous show is not dissimilar in style to the Hayes’ hit production of Calamity Jane, which Carroll also directed, with its tongue-in-cheek irreverence and playful interaction with the audience.

As with Calamity Jane, the audience enters the auditorium via the balcony door which leads directly onto the stage where preparations for Frederic’s 21st birthday party are underway.

There’s a large carpet centre stage with two...