The Tynemouth Gilbert & Sullivan Society is bringing us an absolute classic for their next production in the shape of ‘The Pirates of Penzance’.

I’m not saying that ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ is the greatest of all Gilbert & Sullivan’s comic operas, but it’s definitely in the top one. The story sees Frederic and Mabel trying to overcome all sorts of unlikely barriers to their love. The production also features a whole bunch of pirates, a resourceful maid, and an incompetent Major-General (who, of course, gets to belt out one of G&S’s most famous songs). The Tynemouth Gilbert & Sullivan is one of the region’s most venerable institutions – they’ve been treading the boards since 1948 – and their 40 odd members always knock it out of the park with their yearly extravaganza. And with ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ in the offing for 2025, I’m expecting them to really make waves.

The Pirates of Penzance, 4-7 June, Tynemouth Priory Theatre, 7.15pm (Sat 5.15pm), £15 (under 16s £12), ticketsource.co.uk/tynemouthgilbertandsullivan