Premiered at the Fifth Avenue Theatre in New York City on 31 December 1879, The Pirates of Penzance is a comic opera in two acts. It tells the story of Frederic, who - having completed his 21st year - is released to a band of tender-hearted pirates.

He meets the daughters of Major-General Stanley, including Mabel, and the two young people fall instantly in love. Discovering his date of birth is actually on the 29th of February, Frederic soon realises that, technically, he only has a birthday once each leap year. Is he really 21 after all?!

With solo roles provided by some of RHS's top vocal talent, and the rousing choruses lustily sung by the combined choirs of the Holbrook Choral Society and the RHS Chapel and Chamber Choirs, the evening should be 'the very model' of perfection(!)