Swashbuckling through streets

Thebuccaneers will be after publicity for their show rather than shoppers' cash.

They will be swashbuckling their way through the streets to highlight the first appearance at the Alexandra Theatre by the Mad Acts youth group of the town's Methodist Church.

Mad Act's 45 members, aged between six and 16, will be performing the famous Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera, the Pirates of Penzance.

Plenty of fun is guaranteed when they take to the stage at 2.30pm and 6.30pm on May 12. Carole Kotin, the group's leader, said the performers would be tackling the full version of the production, with one or two changes to the more operatic segments.

'We looked at doing the children's version but we dropped that because it just wasn't right for us.

'All the well-known songs, such as The Policeman's Song, have been kept in,' she explained.

'The group has been going for about five years. We've done quite a few pantos and music shows and variety shows. The membership has grown so much recently that the stage in the church hall is too small for us.

'We also wanted to do something more ambitious and pirates are very popular at the moment, thanks to the Pirates of the Caribbean films.

'So, the Pirates of Penzance seemed a good choice. We started rehearsing once a week last September and have stepped up the pace in the past few weeks.

'It was tough for the children at the start but, now the costumes have arrived, they are becoming excited.

'They are also looking forward to using the theatre. A few of them have been on its stage before but most of them haven't.

'It's a big step up for us and the theatre have been very good about it. They have helped us all the way.'

Tickets for the Pirates of Penzance are available, priced 6 adults and 5 concessions, from the theatre's box office on 01243 861010.