Outdoor Theatre Performance: Pirates of Penzance performed by Illyria
Join Illyria for a memorable evening at Stowe, full of wit and charm!
- Booking essential
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.
Tickets must be purchased in advance. Please follow the 'check availability' link.
6:30pm start time, gates open from from 5:30pm. The performance will last approximately 120 minutes (+ a 20 minute interval).
Picnics are welcome at this performance.
Times
Prices
| Ticket type | Ticket category |
|---|---|
| Adult | £23.85 |
| Child Under 3 | £0.00 |
| Child Under 18 | £13.01 |
| Concession Registered Carer | £0.00 |
The basics
- Booking number
Call 01280 817156
- Accessibility
Accessible toilet available at New Inn. Plenty of accessible car parking. Dogs welcome on lead.
- Meeting point
Use postcode MK18 5EQ for Stowe Gardens car park and head to New Inn upon arrival.
- Suitability for children
Children welcome!
- What to bring and wear
This is an outdoor performance. We recommend that you bring blankets/chairs etc, to sit on. Come prepared with warm coats, waterproofs etc, but no umbrellas as the show will go on come rain or shine!
- Other
Illyria was created in 1991, and ever since has delighted audiences the length and breadth of the UK, and in the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, France, the United States and Canada. Illyria has also won 4 international "Best Performance" awards and attracted numerous "5-star" and "Critics' Choice" reviews for the lively clarity of its approach to Shakespeare's plays, the high quality of its shows for Families and the refreshing originality of its English classics adaptations and Gilbert & Sullivan performances. Illyria's mission is simply stated: to create a varied programme of outstandingly enjoyable theatre and to make it available for everyone to see. Illyria has given more performances to more people across a wider area than any other open air touring theatre company, its presence dominates the sector and its standards set the bar high. Illyria complies with the Equity Union's Outdoor Touring Theatre Guidelines and ensures that all its actors are paid a fair living wage and treated with respect and dignity.
Upcoming events
Guided Tours at Stowe Gardens
Are you interested in the history of Stowe Gardens? Join us for a free guided tour led by our tour guide volunteers every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 11am.
Accessible Guided Tours
Are you interested in the history of Stowe Gardens? Join us for a free guided accessible tour led by one of our tour guide volunteers.
The Big Stowe BioBlitz 2026
A 'BioBlitz' is an attempt to record as much biodiversity as possible within one day, and we need your help!
Trust 10K Run
Join us on the fourth Sunday of the month for our free 10k trail run.