Opens Saturday 9 May at 7.30pm at London Coliseum (14 performances)<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Broadcast live in cinemas across UK and Ireland, and selected cinemas worldwide, as part of ENO Screen on Tuesday 19 May at 7.30pm<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Acclaimed film and theatre director and Gilbert and Sullivan aficionado Mike Leigh makes his operatic directorial debut at ENO with a new production of\u00a0The Pirates of Penzance<\/em>, Gilbert and Sullivan\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n ENO\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n ENO has a long history of performing Gilbert & Sullivan with\u00a0Iolanthe<\/em>,\u00a0The Gondoliers<\/em>,\u00a0Patience<\/em>,\u00a0The Pirates of Penzance\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0The Mikado<\/em>\u00a0having all been part of the Company repertoire. ENO\u2019s \u201cbright and sharp\u201d (The Guardian)<\/em>\u00a0production of\u00a0The Mikado\u00a0<\/em>has become a true audience favourite having been revived 13 times in 28 years.<\/p>\n Leigh is a lifelong fan of the quintessentially English musical duo. He wrote and directed the 1999 BAFTA winning film\u00a0Topsy Turvy<\/em>(starring Jim Broadbent as W.S. Gilbert and Allan Corduner as Sullivan) which explored their turbulent relationship leading up to the premiere of\u00a0The Mikado<\/em>. He is President of both the Sir Arthur Sullivan Society and the W.S. Gilbert Society and has contributed to\u00a0The Cambridge Companion to Gilbert and Sullivan<\/em>. Fresh from success with the film\u00a0Mr Turner<\/em>, 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\u2019s as both a playwright and director. His plays include\u00a0Bleak Moments<\/em>,\u00a0Abigail\u2019s Party<\/em>,\u00a0Ecstasy,<\/em>\u00a0and most recently,\u00a0Grief<\/em>\u00a0at the National Theatre.<\/p>\n Olivier award-winning designer Alison Chitty has previously collaborated with Mike Leigh on\u00a0Life is Sweet<\/em>,\u00a0Naked\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0Secrets and Lies<\/em>.\u00a0 She will design the set and costumes. Lighting is by Paul Pyant with choreography by Francesca Jaynes.<\/p>\n 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\u00a0La boh\u00e8me,\u00a0<\/em>and will appear as Beckmesser in\u00a0The Mastersingers of Nuremberg<\/em>\u00a0in February 2015.<\/p>\n British tenor Robert Murray takes on the role of Frederic the pirate apprentice. His previous roles for ENO include Nanki-Poo in\u00a0The Mikado<\/em>, Tamino in\u00a0The Magic Flute<\/em>, Don Ottavio in\u00a0Don Giovanni<\/em>\u00a0and Idamante in\u00a0Idomeneo<\/em>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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 … Continue reading