Heading up a cast that reads like a 'who's who' of the opera world is John Mark Ainsley, Elizabeth Watts and Toby Spence. Completing the star-studded line up is comedian Tim Brooke-Taylor (The Goodies, I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue) as the narrator.

Conductor Richard Egarr (AAM, SCO) applies his extensive knowledge of period performance practice to recreate the sound and style typical of the late nineteenth century, a first for a G&S recording.

HMS Pinafore is rich in comic burlesque, sending up theatrical and operatic conventions and parodying the Italian opera of the day. The tongue-in-cheek writing is apparent from the opening chorus and the music is equally rich in comic pastiche and styles; 'For he is an Englishman' is one of the greatest master strokes.

The complete cast list is: John Mark Ainsley (The Rt Hon. Sir Joseph Porter KCB), Elizabeth Watts (Josephine), Andrew Foster-Williams (Captain Corcoran), Toby Spence (Ralph Rackstraw), Kitty Whately (Hebe), Neal Davies (Dick Deadeye), Hilary Summers (Little Buttercup), Gavan Ring (Bill Bobstay) and Barnaby Rea (Bob Becket).

Climb aboard the HMS Pinafore for a hugely fun seafaring romp!