Not every production needs to reveal some devastating truth about humanity. Sometimes theatre earns its place simply by giving a room full of strangers permission to laugh together.
The Pirates of Penzance is gloriously chaotic, completely unhinged and a reminder that shared joy is reason enough to make theatre.
I went into The Pirates of Penzance knowing absolutely nothing about Gilbert and Sullivan and left wondering why nobody told me operetta could basically feel like organised theatrical chaos.
This show is absurd. Aggressively silly. Deeply camp. At one point the audience participation became so unhinged that I genuinely forgot who was part of the cast and who had simply decided to join the production voluntarily.
And somehow… it works perfectly.
Hayes Theatre Co might actually be Sydney’s leading supplier of “what on earth am I watching” theatre experiences — and I mean that as the highest compliment possible.
Between this and Gutenberg! The Musical!, they are building a dangerous reputation for making me cry laughing in tiny theatres.
Go see it. Bring someone fun. And if the audience starts singing, just accept your fate.