The Pirates of Penzance Theatre Royal Bath

When you see Carl Rosa Opera's production of The Pirates of Penzance you can see why Gilbert and Sullivan operettas continue to be so hugely popular long after the period for which they were written.

It looks good, and is filled – start to finish – with foot-tapping tunes that stay with you until the following morning.

Famous for their light operettas, this one probably comes as near as Gilbert and Sullivan ever really came to grand opera.

While taking the usual pot shots at the pretentions of British society, it nevertheless takes the importance of an Englishman's duty and then national pride as its twin themes.

Pirates came to the fore just after the huge success of Pinafore in the 1870s and it was at a time when the British Empire was at its very height.

Mostly this week's show features fabulous voices but in particular Katy Batho and Stephen Brown as the operetta's romantic interest are well worth listening too. Had it not been for the modern Major General you would have said they stole the show.

Looking around at the average age of the audience though you can't help wondering what will happen when the YouTube generation generally gets to theatre-going age and what they will make of songs like Bow Down to Queen Victoria's Name. Probably best to catch the shows now while you can. Certainly you won't do better than this starring Paul Nicholas as the Pirate King..

Christopher Hansford