About
The Pirates of Penzance at Wanstead Park
Wanstead Park, Epping Forest
Sunday 30th August 2026 7:00pm (Doors Open at 6:00pm)
Running time: 2 hours (including a 20 minute interval) Suitable for all ages.
Tickets: Children 3 - 16yrs £10, Adults £20, Under 3s free (plus a booking fee)
Frederick, accidentally apprenticed to Pirates as a child, is indentured to the Pirate King until his 21st birthday. On the day he reaches 21 he leaves the ship, announcing that he now intends to dedicate his life to the Pirates’ destruction. The Pirate King checks the contract’s small print – and realises that as Frederick’s birthday is 29th February on a leap year he has only had four birthdays and is actually indentured for another 63 years. With only the Penzance constabulary to protect him, will Frederick be forced to serve the pirates until he is 84? And will his sweetheart, Mabel, wait for him that long? Performed by a six-strong cast of actor/singers with fully orchestrated accompaniment,
The Pirates of Penzance boasts such gloriously memorable songs as “To be a Pirate King!”; “Modern Major General” and “A Policeman’s Lot is Not a Happy One”. With razor sharp satire and glittering wit, it remains as fresh as if it had been written today.
Please bring your own seating/rug, warm clothes and picnic.
Find out more about Illyris Theatre Company here.
The Temple and Wanstead Park are within 15 minutes' walk from Wanstead station (Central Line). Wanstead Park is also served along Blake Hall Road by buses 101, 308 and W19. For the most up to date information and help with planning your journey, you may find the Transport for London journey planner useful.
