Illyria

St Donat's Castle is the backdrop this Bank Holiday Sunday for an open air prodcution of the timeless operetta, The Pirates of Penzance, staged by Illyria. The castle gardens will be open from 4.30pm, feel free to bring a picnic! Access to the performance area is from 6pm; this year a mixed of seated and non-seat areas on the Top Lawn can be booked.

Gilbert and Sullivan's most popular comic opera is about Frederick, an apprentice pirate, born on 29th February, who quits the Pirate ship and falls in love with girl on land - until he learns he is contracted to the pirates until his 21st BIRTHDAY, not his 21st year. Being a steadfast Slave To Duty, what is he to do? To denounce his piratical friends to the authorities? Or to postpone his marriage until he is 84? The show is packed with laughter, romance and a ship-full of memorable lyrics such as "To be a Pirate King!"; "Modern Major General" and "A Policeman's Lot is Not a Happy One".