Skip to content
Skip to content

Theatre on the lawn: The Pirates of Penzance

This summer join us on the circular lawn, as Castle Drogo is host to Illyria's Pirates of Penzance.

  • Booking advisable

Frederick, accidentally apprenticed to Pirates as a child, is indentured to the Pirate King until his 21st birthday. On the day he reaches 21 he leaves the ship, announcing that he now intends to dedicate his life to the Pirates’ destruction. The Pirate King checks the contract’s small print – and realises that as Frederick’s birthday is 29th February on a leap year he has only had four birthdays and is actually indentured for another 63 years. With only the Penzance constabulary to protect him, will Frederick be forced to serve the pirates until he is 84? And will his sweetheart, Mabel, wait for him that long? Performed by a six-strong cast of actor/singers with fully orchestrated accompaniment, The Pirates of Penzance boasts such gloriously memorable songs as “To be a Pirate King!”; “Modern Major General” and “A Policeman’s Lot is Not a Happy One”. With razor sharp satire and glittering wit, it remains as fresh as if it had been written today.

Times

Prices

Event ticket prices

Ticket typeTicket category
Adult visit the plough to book£22.00
Child visit the plough to book£14.00

The basics

Booking details

Call 01805 624624 Booking via the Plough Arts Centre theploughartscentre.org.uk/event/wind-willows

Suitability

Accompanied children welcome

Meeting point

The performance will be on the circular lawn at Castle Drogo. Follow the signs from the car park.

What to bring and wear

Bring a picnic and dress for the weather.

Accessibility

Access to the circular lawn is on flat gravel paths. Please see Castle Drogo website for full details on access.

Other

Organised by the Plough Arts Centre

Contact info

The Plough Arts Centre

Upcoming events

Easter egg hunt at Castle Drogo 

This spring, treat the whole family to a world of adventure at Castle Drogo on an Easter trail.

Event summary

on
15 Apr to 19 Apr 2026
at 10:00 to 17:00+ 4 other dates or times

Stored secrets exhibition 

Are you brave enough to learn about our killer collection? How about trying some late-Victorian exercise equipment? You might be surprised to find out what we have stored here at Castle Drogo...

Event summary

on
15 Apr to 1 Nov 2026
at 10:30 to 16:30+ 200 other dates or times

Hydro Open Day 

The hydro turbine building on the River Teign will be open for you to look inside. The knowledgeable guide will be able to tell you about the history of this building along with how it was restored and how it works.

Event summary

on
19 Apr to 25 Oct 2026
at 11:00 to 15:00+ 6 other dates or times

Behind the scenes tour to the roof of Castle Drogo 

Join this behind the scenes tour to visit the south roof of Castle Drogo. Discover more about the castle's design, its story and its place in the Dartmoor landscape.

Event summary

on
24 Apr to 8 May 2026
at 11:00 to 11:45+ 10 other dates or times