Pyrates! The Musical is an enthusiastically written show with some strong singing from the three cast members. Jassy Husk, as the creator, composer, director, choreographer and performer, has worked very hard on this original piece! All three performers showed impressive range in their vocal dynamics, with songs in various styles—operatic, haunted sea shanties and musical theatre.

As pirate show lovers, we were very keen to see this piece and some of the audience were even dressed the part. The fun pirate-themed projections on the large screen at the Planet Royale added an engaging touch, and the costumes with their steampunk gothic aesthetic were very well put together. I enjoyed the love story between John Husk and the wicked pirate Badas, but being a huge fan of the gay pirate TV series, Our Flag Means Death, I wanted some more romance and at least a smoochy kiss! However, Clay Darius and Jo-Anne Jackson did have a lot of longing glances and slow walks off into the sunset together, with lovely harmonising.

Whilst this show was carefully researched with the Latin phrase, such as 'Respice finem' meaning "live so that your life will be approved after your death" and the term for pirate marriages, 'Matelotage', having its own song, this pirate show will be appreciated by music lovers who want songs sung in slow, aching heartbreak. For me, I’d have liked some rollicking pirate shanties and a rum-soaked dance or two added in with that missing kiss!