FOLLOWING last year’s sell-out run of their first full-scale Gilbert & Sullivan show, The Pirates of Penzance, Glitter and Twisted Theatre Company return to the Cotswold Playhouse in Stroud on Friday, March 31 with another G&S classic, HMS Pinafore.

Founded in 2011 by lifelong Stroud resident Suzanne Barnes and her partner Simon Moss, G&T aim to bring a new twist and a healthy slice of camp to their stage musicals.

Director Simon said: “It’s hard to believe that Pinafore was written over 100 years ago. The satire still bites and the piece is hilariously funny today, especially when twisted slightly to appeal to a modern audience.”

The company believe in being faithful to the original text, and only change an occasional word.

“We updated Pirates to 1953,” Simon continued, “but our Pinafore is firmly set in the late Victorian period. It’s all about class, specifically the issues surrounding loving someone with a radically different social position to one’s own, and therefore works best in a late nineteenth century setting.”

“The music is glorious,” said musical director Suzanne. “Most people will know many of the songs, such as Little Buttercup and The Bell Trio, but even those who are new to Pinafore should leave the theatre humming the tunes.”

Pinafore has a strong cast, with many people from the local area, and some who last appeared in Pinafore when it was an Archway School production.

  •  HMS Pinafore is at Cotswold Playhouse from March 31 to April 9. Visit glittertwisted.com for ticket information.