Opens Saturday 9 May at 7.30pm at London Coliseum (14 performances)

Broadcast live in cinemas across UK and Ireland, and selected cinemas worldwide, as part of ENO Screen on Tuesday 19 May at 7.30pm

Acclaimed film and theatre director and Gilbert and Sullivan aficionado Mike Leigh makes his operatic directorial debut at ENO with a new production of The Pirates of Penzance, Gilbert and Sullivan’s popular farcical comedy. Featuring swashbuckling pirates, flat footed policemen, razor-sharp satire and memorable melodies, this sparkling new production promises to be the theatrical and musical event of 2015.

ENO’s international reputation for working with exciting directors from across a wide range of artistic disciplines has offered a fresh perspective and unique approach to our productions. Film and theatre director Mike Leigh is the latest artistic talent to apply his skills to the world of opera. Previous directors ENO has worked with include Terry Gilliam, Anthony Minghella, Benedict Andrews, Rufus Norris, Carrie Cracknell and Fiona Shaw.

ENO has a long history of performing Gilbert & Sullivan with Iolanthe, The Gondoliers, Patience, The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado having all been part of the Company repertoire. ENO’s “bright and sharp” (The Guardian) production of The Mikado has become a true audience favourite having been revived 13 times in 28 years.

Leigh is a lifelong fan of the quintessentially English musical duo. He wrote and directed the 1999 BAFTA winning film Topsy Turvy(starring Jim Broadbent as W.S. Gilbert and Allan Corduner as Sullivan) which explored their turbulent relationship leading up to the premiere of The Mikado. He is President of both the Sir Arthur Sullivan Society and the W.S. Gilbert Society and has contributed to The Cambridge Companion to Gilbert and Sullivan. Fresh from success with the film Mr Turner, starring Timothy Spall as the artist J.M.W.Turner, Leigh has had a long and successful career which began in the theatre in the 1960’s as both a playwright and director. His plays include Bleak Moments, Abigail’s Party, Ecstasy, and most recently, Grief at the National Theatre.

Olivier award-winning designer Alison Chitty has previously collaborated with Mike Leigh on Life is Sweet, Naked and Secrets and Lies.  She will design the set and costumes. Lighting is by Paul Pyant with choreography by Francesca Jaynes.

British baritone Andrew Shore is renowned for his character roles and is a superb singer and actor. He makes his role debut as Major-General Stanley. He has performed numerous roles for ENO, most recently the twin cameos of Benoit and Alcindoro in La bohème, and will appear as Beckmesser in The Mastersingers of Nuremberg in February 2015.

British tenor Robert Murray takes on the role of Frederic the pirate apprentice. His previous roles for ENO include Nanki-Poo in The Mikado, Tamino in The Magic Flute, Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni and Idamante in Idomeneo.