| Who: Darryl J Spijkers – director of The Pirates of Penzance Presented by: Cape Town G&S When: July 4-12, 2026 Where: Artscape, Cape Town Musical director: Alastair Cockburn Choreography: Marlize Cronje and Tania Roberts Orchestra: Cape Town Sinfonietta – 26 piece orchestra of professional musicians Cast: 67 performers. Principals: Frances van Vuuren (Mabel), Renier van Rooyen (Frederic), Julie Dickson (Ruth) and Stephan le Roux (The Pirate King) Tickets: R225-R350 Bookings: Webtickets or via the Artscape Box Office on +27 21 421 7695. |
“We have adapted the treatment of woman in subtle interpretation, giving them more power, being the ones who want to flirt with and marry the pirates, not fearing them”, muses Darryl Spijkers, who is directing the Pirates of Penzance, for the Cape Town G&S, Artscape, July 4-12, 2026, accompanied by the Cape Town Sinfonietta. There is loads of social satire – lampooning the Brits in the Victorian era. But, don’t read too much into it – just enjoy this fun production. For the most part, it ends happily and we go home smiling, by “the hope presented by a finale sung arm in arm while confetti falls”:
TheCapeRobyn: Have you localized this Pirates of Penzance?
Darryl Spijkers: A South African cast performing the piece in its original British setting treated with comedic whimsy. We have honoured the script and songs and simply added movement, energy and colour.
The pirates have never seen a woman before – but they have seen visions of mermaids – so we have added one that makes a beautiful vision on the stage.
Unlike most productions, we have added a troupe of dancers to liven up some of the scenes and add a touch of fun. Choreography is by Marlize Cronje and Tania Roberts – it id traditional Cornish dancing meets classic musical theatre.
TCR: Have you cut or shortened the text in any way – adapted aspects? There is the challenge of making it accessible for contemporary audiences and younger audiences?
DS: No cuts, the show is not a long opera. It runs at a reasonable hour for each act. We have adapted the treatment of woman in subtle interpretation, giving them more power, being the ones who want to flirt with and marry the pirates, not fearing them.
TCR: Insights into the set design? The first act is set in the port of Penzance? The second act is set in a Gothic Chapel?
DS: We have a bright and simple classic ballet style set to accommodate a cast of 67. The focus is the music and the story. This will all be neatly framed by the set. The locations are: pirate ship, beach/shore, the ruined chapel
TCR: Insights into the costumes?
DS: Victorian costumes with one or two small surprises.
TCR: Julie Dickson is making her comeback to the stage after a long time is taking on the role of Ruth who plays a pivotal role – trigging the whole plot? [She played Golde in the 2011 Fiddler on the Roof}
DS: Julie is a wonderful performer and Ruth is indeed a really interesting character. She holds some truths that when dropped cause some plot twists. Although it all works out well in the end, she is left unresolved and alone.
TCR: Can you tell us about Cape Town Sinfonietta – a new 26-piece orchestra – which is accompanying?
DS: It is group of professional musicians put together by Alastiar Cockburn who has served the G&S society for over 50 years.
TCR: You say in your director’s note: “The Pirates of Penzance, is light-hearted, whimsical and has a (mostly) happy ending. In a world filled with troubles and trauma – this is just what we need – the hope presented by a finale sung arm in arm while confetti falls.” Anything to add to that – how it resonates for the audience in 2026?
DS: There is no profound or deep meaning to be taken from a performance of The Pirates of Penzance in 2026. The British social satire will tickle some. But, it simply takes us all away from the worries of the world and allows us to enjoy a feel-good saga in four part harmony.
✳ Featured image: Stephan le Roux as The Pirate King, Renier van Rooyen as Frederic and Julie Dickson as Ruth, The Pirates of Penzance, presented by Cape Town G&S, July 4-12, 2026 Artscape, Photo: Tiffany Schultz Photography.
