Toowoomba Anglican School to premier 2024 musical Pirates of Penzance at Empire Theatre

Toowoomba Anglican School students will be proving they’re the “model of a modern major-general” when the school’s production of the Pirates of Penzance kicks off this week.

Secondary students at Toowoomba Anglican School perform the dress rehearsal for the school's 2024 production of The Pirates of Penzance at the Empire Theatre. Photos by Catharine Mohr.

It’s taken more than three months of work and hours of hours’ worth of rehearsals, but the students of Toowoomba Anglican School are ready to light up the Empire Theatre over the next two nights.

More than 60 students and multiple faculty members have been involved in the school’s production of the Gilbert and Sullivan classic The Pirates of Penzance, which premieres on Thursday evening.

Secondary students at Toowoomba Anglican School perform the dress rehearsal for the school's 2024 production of The Pirates of Penzance at the Empire Theatre. Photos by Catharine Mohr.

The musical tells the story of Frederic, who is about to be released from his apprenticeship to a band of loveable pirates due to turning 21, only to find out his birthday being on a leap year means he will be indentured to them until he is 63.

TAS deputy head of school and creative team member Trina Faint said the musical, which includes the famous Major-General’s Song and other classics, was chosen due to the large ensemble cast and lighthearted tone.

Secondary students at Toowoomba Anglican School perform the dress rehearsal for the school's 2024 production of The Pirates of Penzance at the Empire Theatre. Photos by Catharine Mohr.

“It’s the Simon Gallaher version, so it’s a little bit more rock and roll and a bit more tongue in cheek,” she said.

“It’s a great show, it’s well-known and the ability to have a large cast is important.

“From musical to musical we try to do something different, and the script is wonderful and the music is great.”

Ms Faint said the production had been notable for the collaborative approach of the creative team, which she said had led to excellent performances by the main cast.

Secondary students at Toowoomba Anglican School perform the dress rehearsal for the school's 2024 production of The Pirates of Penzance at the Empire Theatre. Photos by Catharine Mohr.

“I’ve been involved in many school musicals, but with this one we have a creative team, so everyone is very supportive of each other,” she said.

“We work collaboratively rather (in silos) where a director does this and the choreographer does that.

“We help each other with everything, so it is a collaborative creative team.

“Our lead cast do extra rehearsals and their character development has been outstanding, they’ve been developing their characters — each one is special in their own right.”

Tickets are still available for both nights, which can be bought at the Empire Theatre’s website.

Secondary students at Toowoomba Anglican School perform the dress rehearsal for the school's 2024 production of The Pirates of Penzance at the Empire Theatre. Photos by Catharine Mohr.