THE latest manifestation of the Sasha Regan company’s hilariously entertaining all-male Pirates is in Bath this week, complete with its almost-all-new cast of daughters, policemen and gentlemen of the sea.

The 17-strong company, along with the phenomenal Giannis Giannopoulos at the piano, bring out all of WS Gilbert’s satire and invention, with (as is traditional) a few more moments of fun, all played out with Sir Arthur Sullivan’s consistently tuneful, sometimes breathtakingly beautiful music. It is SUCH good stuff to sing and its appeal really is timeless.

Director Sasha Regan is always on the lookout for an extra funny moment, if it’s only a flick of the wrist or an extravagantly arched eyebrow. It is that attention to detail, as well as the individual characteristics of each new company (this production has been out on the road since 2009) that keeps it fresh for audiences. Everyone leaving the theatre after a Sasha Regan show has a broad smile on their face.

Several of these energetic young men are making their professional debuts on this 2024 tour, which started in early October and ends in Bath. They include Tom Newland, as a charismatic and dashing Pirate King, and Luke Garner-Greene, as the determined Mabel, with experienced performer Robert Wilkes making his company debut as the plaintively petulant Ruth, all revolving around our hero Frederic (Cameron McAllister) who is out of his indentures and all ready to decimate his piratical former friends. David McKechnie returns as a sonorous Major General, with Lewis Kennedy as the caricatured Sergeant of Police.

Musical purists might wince a little at the effect that over-loud singing has on the voice, and some of the vowels lack those strictly enunciated shapes taught to singers in days of yore – but that doesn’t in any way spoil the fun or enjoyment of this continuingly terrific show.

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Photographs by Mark Senior