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Synopsis
In a cave on the rocky Cornish sea-coast, a band of Pirates are celebrating the termination of Frederic's apprenticeship. Frederic is, however, none to happy
amid his sherry drinking associates. He reflects that he should have never have been a Pirate (His childhood nurse, Ruth had
erred in mistaking Frederic's father's desire for him to become a Pilot. Frederic had faithfully fulfilled his obligation to the piratical band
and tells everybody that although he holds them all with high regard, it is now his duty to society to give his heart and soul to driving the Pirates from the high seas.
The Pirates are actually a good-hearted bunch of rogues who never attack shipping smaller than their own ship, or one manned by orphans-the latter part being due to the fact
that the Pirates were themselves orphans. The last few ships that they had captured, they had released immediately as they were manned by orphans recruited into the British Navy.
The Pirates had now come to the conclusion that piracy was no longer a worthwhile way of life.
Frederic had always been in love, or so he thought, with Ruth, the only woman that he had ever known. When a crowd of lovely young ladies arrive on a nearby secluded beach for a picnic
with their father, Major-General Stanley, Frederic dutifully goes to warn them of the nearby Pirates presence, and then asks them
if they will help him escape from the Pirate band. No-one is interested in aiding him in his plight except unselfish Mabel, who is very taken by Frederic's manner and bearing,
this attraction being very much to Ruth's displeasure. The complete party is surrounded by the Pirates who inform them of their future fate.
Soon after this Major-General
Stanley arrives and tells the pirates the untruth that he himself is an orphan and on hearing this information the Pirates release the girls. Ruth, fearing she is losing Frederic, begs him not
to leave her, however, Frederic rejects Ruth's pleas.
Act 2. The Major-General, having saved his daughters by telling a lie, finds it difficult to come to terms with his conscience and the dishonour on his ancestral name.
Frederic advises him not to confess his sins to the Pirate King as he, (Frederic) has assembled a force of Policemen to go after the Pirates.
After the Policemen have gone in search of the Pirates, Frederic, sitting alone in the ruined chapel is captured by the Pirate King and informed that he was born on the 29th February.
He was therefore only five years old, and still a bound apprentice. Frederic, in retaliation tells of the Major-General's untruth and the Pirate King threatens his revenge
on the family.
When Mabel returns, Frederic, after telling her that he cannot claim her until he comes of age many years in the future, goes off to rejoin the pirates.
The Police after a fruitless search. Mabel sends the Police after the Pirates again and the Police, when they hear the pirates approaching, hide. The Pirates in their turn, see the Major-General coming
and also hide, then, when the daughters join their father, the Pirates pounce and seize them. The Police then attack, but in the fray are beaten down by the Pirates.
The Pirate King, however, releases everyone in the Queen's name. In the ensuing debate it is revealed to a man all of the Pirates are fallen Noblemen, and therefore would make suitable husbands
for the daughters of a Major-General: Ruth, not to be left out, finds she has a lot in common with the Police Sergeant; with Frederic claiming his Mabel, the story all ends happily.
Producer H. Milwood Wildey
Musical Director Arnold Jones
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