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Performers from Salisbury Amateur Operatic Society's production of The Pirates of Penzance.

MICHAEL Bowyer is going to have an extra smile on his face when he sings I am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General in Salisbury Amateur Operatic Society's production of The Pirates of Penzance.

For this will be the third time that Michael has performed this role, and he is perfectly happy with that because at last he feels he is the right age for the part.

"The first time I played the role I was in my 30s and was heavily made up. I am about the right age now and I did think long and hard before auditioning for a possible third time. But it is such a fabulous part and it is so enjoyable and each production I have performed in has been produced differently, giving a different slant on the part."

This year is a special one for the society, being its centenary year and The Pirates of Penzance has been chosen as it was the first ever SAOS production in 1908.

The society last performed Pirates in the spring of 2000, and prior to that, 1986, both productions featuring Michael Bowyer as the Major-General, and this year's production is using the Broadway Version.

"All this really means," says Michael, "is that the accompaniment is slightly vamped up with keyboards and brass."

"And for this production, the audience will see lots of costume changes because of the success of the film, Pirates of the Caribbean. I think you will find that the pirate king could resemble Johnny Depp".

Possibly Gilbert and Sullivan's most popular operetta, The Pirates of Penzance is full of unforgettable songs, ballads and rousing choruses and John Dempster will take the baton as musical director.

Under the professional directorship of Ken Robertson-Scott, who has performed with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, Christian Jull takes the role of the Pirate King, soprano Georgina Taylor is Mabel and Jevan McCauley plays the role of Frederick.

Stalwart of the society, David Coxon plays the Sergeant of Police, with, no doubt, his usual comic flair and ability.

10:35am Thursday 1st May 2008

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