A Swindon musical theatre company are looking for young pirates who fancy swinging a cutlass in their next production.

The Swindon Gilbert and Sullivan Society are presenting one of the most popular operas, The Pirates of Penzance, that fell from the pens of the famous writing duo.

The opera will be performed in Swindon in April 2018 and the society are holding their annual general meeting/auditions on Tuesday, August 22 at 6pm in the Wroughton Workingmen's Club.

Julia Fryer from the society said: "We thought it would nice to finish off the agm with a sing-through. We don't care if you don't know it, some of us don't, this is just for fun and to give newcomers a feel for the production before committing yourselves.''

Rehearsals start officially in the Wroughton club on Tuesday, August 29.

"This is the perfect chance for energetic men to come and join the pirate chorus. We would also be pleased to see new women members but annoyingly we don't get to be pirates,'' said Julia.

The society also welcomes backstage hands such as prompts, set builders and scenery painters.

Membership fees (paid annually) are £70 per person, £60 each for a couple, £35 for students.

For more details of the Swindon Gilbert and Sullivan Society, which was founded in 1969, visit http://swindongilbertandsullivan.weebly.com/about-us.html - Flicky Harrison