EGGHEADS' CJ de Mool to Star in Brookside Theatre's THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, Sept 24-Oct 6

Former BBC 'Egghead' CJ de Mooi headlines an electrifying, high-energy production of Gilbert & Sullivan's classic comedy, The Pirates of Penzance at an exciting new Studio Theatre in Romford, Essex.

Directed by Drew Baker, the show will get a limited 2-week run at The Brookside Theatre Mondays-Saturdays at 7:30pm with matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2.00pm. The run opens on Monday 24th September to Saturday October 6th.

CJ de Mooi is best known for being one of the faces of BBC quiz show Eggheads where he spent 9 years. CJ has become one of the country's leading quizzers and has built a reputation for surprising speed when answering questions. CJ left Eggheads to pursue an acting career and has already clocked up some impressive credits.

This is Gilbert and Sullivan at its very best...! Written in 1879 by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan - the undisputed masters of comic opera, whose work significantly shaped the modern musical comedy - PIRATES OF PENZANCE has continually proved to be a hit with worldwide audiences and critics alike. This is a dazzling and hilarious new adaptation of unarguably one of the most popular musicals of all time. Long before Captain Jack Sparrow, a very different "Pirate King" dominated the high seas. A rollicking band of pirates, a bevy of 'adorable' maidens (the daughters of the "very model of a modern Major-General" Stanley), a bunch of blundering policemen, a handsome pirate apprentice and a fading nursemaid all cross paths and the charmingly ridiculous plot comes to life. Regarded by many as the most gloriously topsy-turvy of Gilbert & Sullivan's works, this timeless musical is a theatrical treat for all the family to enjoy. You won't want to miss this incredibly popular show which is more in demand today than it was when it was created over a century ago - a true testimony to its enduring brilliance.

CJ de Mooi will play the 'Major General' and will be joined by a company of 17 performers including Jackie-Ross Lavender ('Frederic'), Emily-Rose Adams ('Mabel'), Lara-Bianca Pilcher ('Ruth'), Stiofan O'Doherty ('Pirate King'), Tom Norman ('Sgt. of Police'), Joseph Giaconi ('Samuel'), Freya Sutton ('Edith'), Ellie Self ('Kate'), Melissa Fox ('Isobel') with Matthew Holland, Jacob Flurry, Christian Jones, Will Mulver, Rob Wilkes, Adam Glowaki, Alastair Walker and Andrew McKay in the ensemble.

Drew Baker (Director) recently directed Search for a Twitter Star at The Lyric Theatre, West End. His other directing credits include an all-star gala West End concert of Children of Eden at the Prince of Wales Theatre, The Last 5 Years, HMS Pinafore, Beauty & The Beast, Our House, Oklahoma!, Sweeney Todd and Songs For a New World. Working alongside Drew Baker will be Ben Holder (Musical Director) and Murray Grant (Choreographer).

The Brookside Theatre is based at the Romford War Memorial Social Club. This beautiful historical building, in the heart of Romford's town centre, was built in 1953 to commemorate the service personnel and civilians from Romford, who lost their lives during the Second World War. A host of exciting events; musicals, plays, comedy, live music etc. have been arranged to raise money for the renovation and subsequent upkeep of the war memorial on Eastern Road, Romford. For future information regarding future events, visit www.brooksidetheatre.com.

Tickets are £11.00, £9.00 (Concs.) and can be purchased online from www.brooksidetheatre.com or telephone the box office on 01708 755775.

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