YOUNG people aged between nine and 19 years and who love to sing are invited to join the swashbuckling performance of The Pirates of Penzance at this year’s Gilbert & Sullivan Festival in Harrogate.

The show will be performed in Harrogate Theatre on Saturday, August 15, with rehearsals in Harrogate each day from Saturday, August 8.

The Youth Production is sponsored by the Festival as part of its active programme of youth initiatives and provides an opportunity for young people to learn about theatre, opera, singing and acting. There is no charge for participants.

Festival Director Ian Smith said: “The Festival Youth Production is always a highlight of the Festival and many of our young people have gone on to have outstanding careers in the world of theatre and music. Gilbert & Sullivan is the ideal introduction to opera and musical theatre.”

Auditions will take place in the Cedar Court Hotel, Harrogate, on Saturday, May 23 at 10.30 am.

Another opportunity exists for students to join the University Production of Iolanthe. This production will be staged in the Harrogate Royal Hall on Tuesday, August 11 and forms part of the international Festival competition. Rehearsals will be daily in Harrogate from Monday, August 3. Any student from any university in the world is welcome to apply, and audition will be by DVD or You Tube.

More information about both the above events can be found at gsfestivals.org or phone 01422 323252 for an information pack.

The 22nd Gilbert & Sullivan Festival will take place in Harrogate, August 1-23 when there will be over 40 fully-staged performances in the Royal Hall and nearby Harrogate Theatre. The acclaimed National Festival Orchestra will accompany all performances in the Royal Hall.

Special events include a three-day Sullivan Seminar; a three-day Gilbert Seminar; a Sullivan Concert in Ripon Cathedral and a Concert with Donald Maxwell in the Georgian Theatre Richmond. A full and varied fringe programme each day ensures there is Gilbert & Sullivan from dawn until dusk.

Tickets are on sale from Monday, March 30, at the Box Office on 01423 502116 or online at harrogatetheatre.co.uk.