Is Pirates of Penzance on Netflix?

Pirates of Penzance, the classic Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, has been performed in theaters around the world for over a century. But is it available on Netflix?

The answer is yes and no. While Pirates of Penzance is not available to watch on Netflix as a full-length feature film, there are recordings of the show available on the streaming service. The most recent adaptation was recorded in 2019 by the BBC and released in 2020 as part of their “Gilbert & Sullivan: The Very Best Of” series.

The production was directed by Mike Leigh, with musical direction by Steven Edis and vocal direction by David Eaton. It stars Richard Suart as The Pirate King, Sarah Tynan as Mabel, Christopher Purves as Major-General Stanley, John Pryce-Jones as Frederick, and Alice Fearn as Ruth. The production also includes an all-star cast of singers from across the UK.

The Production

Pirates of Penzance tells the story of Frederic, a young man who was mistakenly apprenticed to a band of pirates instead of a pilot when he was only 8 years old. After many years at sea, Frederic learns that he has finally reached his 21st birthday and is free from his pirate apprenticeship – or so he thinks! He soon discovers that he must serve out another year before being fully released from his contract with the pirates.

The show features some classic Gilbert and Sullivan tunes such as “A Modern Major-General” and “I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major General”. It also features some lesser known songs such as “Oh Better Far To Live And Die” and “When The Foemen Bore Their Steel Away”.

Conclusion

So is Pirates of Penzance on Netflix? Yes – but only in a recording form rather than a full-length feature film. You can watch this adaptation on Netflix to get your fill of Gilbert & Sullivan’s timeless music.