It害羞草研究所檚 a tale with a century-long history, but when they get their hands on it, it害羞草研究所檚 a story bred for the 21st century.

Seaton Secondary害羞草研究所檚 27th Street Theatre Co. presents Gilbert and Sullivan害羞草研究所檚 The Pirates of Penzance, a semi-modern rock opera Dec. 5-9 and 12-16.

害羞草研究所淲e have a fresh twist,害羞草研究所� said Seaton Secondary instructor and director Lana O害羞草研究所橞rien, adding that rather than being set in the 1880s like the original spinning of the yarn, rendition is set in the 1980s.

害羞草研究所淲e were challenged on how to bill it to our audience, but we came up with our tagline: a semi-modern rock opera.害羞草研究所�

The lyrics that Gilbert and Sullivan fans have come to know and love remain unchanged, but the instrumentals have been refreshed and steeped in rock n害羞草研究所� roll by Lora Bensmiller, Jax Dolman and .

Following that theme, the pirates are decked out in 害羞草研究所�80s rocker apparel, complete with big hair, leather jackets and mesh; while the police corps are clad in tap dance gear reminiscent of MC Hammer and the Major-General Stanley and company are classic high school preps, complete with popped-collars and sweaters slung over shoulders.

However, the modern-interpretation remains true to the traditional, two act comic opera.

害羞草研究所淲hen I first picked this show, the students had no clue what is was,害羞草研究所� O害羞草研究所橞rien said. 害羞草研究所淣ow it害羞草研究所檚 1,000 per cent bought in. They have fallen in love with the operetta.害羞草研究所�

And for a high school theatre company, bringing in new content is what it害羞草研究所檚 all about.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e an educational theatre, so doing stuff they know all the time isn害羞草研究所檛 the best,害羞草研究所� O害羞草研究所橞rien said. 害羞草研究所淲e want to push them.害羞草研究所�

The cast of 60 kids, with some roles double cast and a maximum of 45 members on stage per night, had to audition to enter O害羞草研究所橞rien害羞草研究所檚 honour-level class, with auditions held during spring break the year prior and practices starting in tandem with the fall semester.

害羞草研究所淲e expect a lot from them,害羞草研究所� O害羞草研究所橞rien said. 害羞草研究所淎nd they deliver.害羞草研究所�

For the cast, many of whom are working towards a career in the performing arts, the hard work and dedication required is more than worthwhile.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 been a struggle at times but it害羞草研究所檚 been very worth it for all,害羞草研究所� said RJ Liebelt, a Grade 12 student who plays Frederic and has performed with the theatre twice. 害羞草研究所淢any people are finding themselves here. I love being on stage behind all of this glamour and lights. I love spending time backstage, learning who we are as people.害羞草研究所�

Shaughnessy O害羞草研究所橞rien, also a Grade 12 student who plays the Pirate Queen and plans on studying theatre in post-secondary, agreed.

害羞草研究所淭here害羞草研究所檚 nothing quite like being in front of the audience,害羞草研究所� Shaughnessy said. 害羞草研究所淚 love being able to be someone other than myself.害羞草研究所�

Grade 12 student Nelya McDowell, who plays Ruth, added that when you害羞草研究所檙e on stage, the hard work is paid off.

害羞草研究所淚 love that feeling you get from the audience when they realize all the hard work you put in,害羞草研究所� McDowell said.

Zac Boring, also a Grade 12 student who plays Samuel 害羞草研究所� the Pirate Queen害羞草研究所檚 Lieutenant 害羞草研究所� has been playing catch up since he was moved up from an understudy to a principal character.

害羞草研究所淚 just really enjoy it,害羞草研究所� Boring said. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 fun to put yourself in a different character and switch everything you do 害羞草研究所� it really engages the mind. It害羞草研究所檚 intense but very fulfilling.害羞草研究所�

Ellen Campbell, a Grade 12 who plays Mabel, added, 害羞草研究所淚 just love performing and telling stories. I feel really fulfilled after a show. This is something I could do forever.害羞草研究所�

And for tech and first-time stage manager Reid Collinson, a Grade 12 student, the performance takes on a different yet parallel tone.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 super fascinating,害羞草研究所� Collinson said. 害羞草研究所淭here害羞草研究所檚 kind of a magic you get to see when you see how much goes into the play.害羞草研究所�

While their hard work has paid off when they stand under the spotlight, the students all agreed that there害羞草研究所檚 more to theatre than appearing on stage.

For Elise Parsonage, a Grade 12 who plays Matron Major-General, theatre has helped her grow.

害羞草研究所淚 just love being able to put myself out there,害羞草研究所� Parsonage said. 害羞草研究所淚 was a terrified Grade 8, and doing this has really put me out there. Theatre has totally changed me.害羞草研究所�

27th Street Theatre Co. presents Gilbert and Sullivan害羞草研究所檚 The Pirates of Penzance, a semi-modern rock opera at Seaton Secondary Dec. 5-9 and 12-16 with evening shows at 7:30 p.m. and matinees Dec. 9 and 16. Tickets are available for $15, all seats, by calling 250-542-3361.