The innumerable versions of H.M.S. Pinafore which were appearing all over America vexed author, composer and manager alike. Not only did they dislike the idea of their work being misrepresented but they were also rightly resentful of the profits made by the promoters of these pirate versions, not a penny of which was reaching them.
Consequently, the Pirates of Penzance received its true premiere in New York at the Fifth Avenue Theatre, in order to secure the American copyright for themselves. This happened on 31st December 1879. To secure the English copyright, a simultaneous performance (bearing in mind the time difference) was given in England on the afternoon of 30th December, at the Royal Bijou Theatre in Paignton, Devon. The second Pinafore company were touring and that week happened to be in nearby Torquay. They presented the English premiere in their Pinafore costumes with handkerchiefs tied around their heads to denote piracy, and still carrying their parts in their hands.
The Pirates of Penzance played at the Opera Comique until 2nd April 1881.
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Our 2025 co-production with Scottish Opera and Opera Holland Park
Learn MoreThe 150th Anniversary co-production of Trial by Jury, in a double bill with a new commission, A Matter of Misconduct by Emma Jenkins and Toby Hession
Learn MoreIn 2025, we will collaborate with Scottish Opera for a fourth time. We are co-producing a brand new production of The Merry Widow by Franz Lehár and, to celebrate our sesquicentennial, a new production of Trial by Jury.
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