SWASHBUCKLING FUN

PIRATES LAND AT EMPIRE

TOOWOOMBA audiences will be the first in the world to hear new orchestrations in the iconic play Pirates of Penzance when it premiers next week.

The Simon Gallaher-led adaptation will star international singer and actor Michael Cormick and a local cast who this week staged the first “sitzprobe” - a rehearsal with the full orchestra and cast.

Mr Gallaher, of Essgee Entertainment, said excitement was building about the premiere which coincided with the 20th anniversary of the Empire Theatre’s re-opening. “Our production of HMS

Pinafore re-opened (the Empire Theatre) 20 years ago so it was fun to decide to bring the Pirates here, with an all local cast and the musical director,” Mr Gallaher said.

“This has got brand new orchestrations that are heading over to the West End but they’re being premiered here in Toowoomba.

“This is a work that is very very old, over 150 years old, but the thing that makes it new and fresh is to have new, young people and this situation is exactly what is going to happen here with everybody local except one or two and including the choreographer.”

Musical director Craig Renshaw said the sitzprobe was the first time Mr Gallaher and the cast would hear the new musical arrangements, and the Monday night rehearsal was done behind closed doors ahead of the premiere.

THIS IS A WORK THAT IS VERY VERY OLD, OVER 150 YEARS OLD, BUT THE THING THAT MAKES IT NEW AND FRESH IS TO HAVE NEW, YOUNG PEOPLE.

SIMON GALLAHER

Pirates of Penzance. Photos: Kevin Farmer SWASHBUCKLING FUN: Toowoomba local Angela Ponting will play Ruth alongside leading actor Michael Cormick as the Pirate King in the Empire Theatres’ production of

Alex Woodward (left) as Frederic with the original Frederic himself Simon Gallaher of Essgee Entertainment.

Stars of the show Alex Woodward (left) as Frederic and Michael Cormick as the Pirate King battle in rehearsal.