HARVEST RAIN STARTS 2015 WITH “PIRATES”

At a lavish QPAC launch on December 1^st Harvest Rain announced their 2015 season would commence with a new revival production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance that plays form 19-22 March in the QPAC Concert Hall.

It stars Andrew O’Keefe as the Pirate King, Nancye Hayes as Ruth, and newcomers Georgina Hopson as Mabel and Billy Bourchier as Frederick, with direction by Simon Gallagher.

O’Keefe, better known as a television personality as co-host of Weekend Sunrise and former host of Deal or No Deal) recently played King Herod in the 2013 tour of Jesus Christ Superstar the Arena Spectacular alongside Tim Minchin, Jon Stevens and Melanie C. Musical-theatre legend Nancye Hayes was last seen in Brisbane playing Miss Hannigan in the 2013 tour of Annie. Georgina Hopson and Billy Bourchier are both graduates of the Musical Theatre course at Queensland Conservatorium, and both played in their recent production of Into the Woods, Hopson as Cinderella and Bourchier as Jack.

The Pirates of Penzance has a long history with the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. It was the show that opened the complex in 1985, and later in the 90s it launched Simon Gallagher’s award-winning reversioning of the show which toured Australia and was seen by over 2 million people.

Thirty years ago when the show opened at QPAC, it starred a young Simon Gallagher as Frederick, and a then unknown Marina Prior as Mabel. Pirates launched both of their musical theatre careers.

Stepping into the shoes of Ruth, Nancye Hayes follows a long list of Australian legends who have performed the part who include Toni Lamond and June Bronhill. In a career that spans seven decades it will be the first time Nancye Hayes has appeared in Gilbert and Sullivan.

Tickets go on sale at QPAC (136246) Friday 5^th December for a six performance season that runs 19-22 March 2015. www.qpac.com.au