Please note that this event is now sold out. If you would like to join the waiting list for tickets, please fill in this form.

Join the OHP Inspire team for a reduced and relaxed performance of Gilbert and Sullivan’s model of a comic British opera, The Pirates of Penzance. Grab some socially distanced floor cushions for your bubble, and join in the fun as the pirates, their sweethearts, some disgruntled policemen and a very modern Major General perform on the site where our theatre normally stands. 

Keep a weather eye on the horizon and come prepared with sunblock, sunglasses or a poncho. The show will go on come rain or shine. 

This performance is a revival of a family production put together for Pirates to Penzance, a project organised as part of Opera Holland Park’s award-winning education and outreach scheme, Inspire. Find out more. 

Revived by Rosie Purdie, with Stuart Wild as musical director, the homecoming cast includes Maciek O’Shea, Daisy Brown, Peter Martin, Alistair Sutherland, Lotte Betts-Dean, Matthew Kellett, Henry Grant Kerswell, Hannah Boxall and Sophie Dicks. 

In line with Opera Holland Park’s regular informal dress code, fancy dress is optional. 

Please note that this event is general admission. Cushions will be provided for you to sit on during the show. We will be allocating all customers a ‘household bubble’ – an area for you and your household to congregate that is socially distant from other households attending.

 

About Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance 

Apprenticed to a gang of pirates since his infancy, Frederic falls in love at first sight with Mabel, the daughter of Major-General Stanley. Unfortunately, the terms of Frederic’s apprenticeship are more complicated than he thought. A leap year baby, he will not have completed his obligations to the pirates until his dotage. Romance, duty and tongue-twisting comic patter songs collide in a knockabout conflict of loyalties in one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most popular operas.

 

Safety Measures

Opera Holland Park will be operating this event in accordance with the latest guidance from the UK Government and Public Health England. Please read the following information before booking.

We appreciate that many children have found social distancing difficult, and are grateful for parental vigilance on the site.

If you have any questions that are not covered below or in our list of FAQs for outdoor performances below, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us at boxoffice@operahollandpark.com.

We promise to keep you feeling safe by:

  • Restricting visitor numbers to maintain social distancing at all times
  • Stewarding the event to ensure safe distancing while you are taking your seats
  • All OHP staff and stewards will wear masks
  • All OHP staff, stewards, singers and musicians will be asked to take their temperature before the event and will not attend if symptomatic of COVID-19
  • Singers and musicians will remain at least 3m away from audiences during the performance
  • Operating a paperless and cashless system at the box office (e-tickets only)
  • Providing hand sanitising stations
  • Asking for contact details from all customers, musicians and staff to comply with the Track and Trace system

In return, we ask that you:

  • Do not attend if you have symptoms, or have been in contact with anyone with symptoms, of COVID-19 (see NHS website)
  • Make sure your contact details are up to date on your OHP account for Track and Trace purposes
  • Show your ticket on a mobile device
  • Observe ‘metre plus’ social distancing from all other audiences, musicians and staff at all times
  • Avoid touching seats that you are not using
  • Use hand sanitiser when necessary
  • Wear your own masks or facial coverings as necessary
  • Keep your belongings with you at all times
  • Look out for instructions from OHP staff and stewards to ensure your personal safety
  • Please note that there will be no toilet facilities on the theatre site, but Holland Park toilets (only 100m away) will be available for use.

 

FAQS

What happens if I am unable to attend the event?

We are asking customers not to attend the event if they have symptoms of COVID-19. If this is the case you will be issued a refund. In all other cases our normal no refund policy will apply. Please see our full Terms and Conditions here.

Will I receive tickets in the post?

Only E-tickets will be available for this performance, which you can either print off and bring with you, or show on your mobile device when you enter the site.

What happens if it rains?

The singers and musicians will be performing under a small marquee to enable them to continue the concert regardless of the weather. The show will go on come rain or shine, so do pack a poncho a blanket just in case. In consideration of those seated behind you, please do not use umbrellas during the performance. We advise that you bring a coat or poncho in case of rain.

Do I need to bring my own seats?

We will be providing cushions for all audiences to sit on. You are welcome to bring our own cushions or rugs if you want too!

How long is the performance?

The performance will start at 4pm and finish by 5pm with no interval. Please leave ample time to arrive and leave as it may take longer than usual due to social distancing measures.

Will there be a bar or refreshments available? Can I bring my own refreshments?

There won’t be a bar but you are welcome to bring your own drinks and refreshments to enjoy before and during the performance. As always, please be considerate of other patrons when choosing what to bring to eat or drink.

Where are the toilets?

There will be no toilet facilities on the theatre site but Holland Park toilets (only 100m away) will be available for use.

How many people will be in the audience?

We have set a total capacity of 200 people for the event, excluding OHP staff, singers and musicians, to enable us to adhere to social distancing guidelines.

Where can I park?

There is limited parking available in Holland Park. If you are able, we recommend cycling or walking to the event.

Do your access procedures apply as usual?

Full access information can be found on this page. Unfortunately there are some access offerings, including help with close-contact assistance, that we are no longer able to provide. If you require close-contact assistance, we recommend that you also book a ticket for your companion.

However, we will always do our utmost to help where we can. Please call the Box Office on 0300 999 1000 or email boxoffice@operahollandpark.com if you have a specific request.

 

Will I be able to leave my pushchair/pram somewhere safe?

There will be a pram parking area to the side of the seating area. We ask that prams are left there so as not to obstruct views for others. They will be monitored by a member of staff, however they will left at your own risk. This area will be uncovered.

 

What about babies?

Babes in arms are welcome and do not require a ticket.