I HAVE met the very model of a modern Major-General. He had “information vegetable, animal, and mineral”. Gilbert and Sullivan’s most famous tune set the tone for this amateur production - superficial and silly but an awful lot of fun. Mark Tooby’s playful rendition of the well-known Major-General's Song proved popular, as did the Worcester Gilbert and Sullivan Society tongue-in-cheek additions. Their nod to Doctor Who was a highlight. Pirates of Penzance tells the story of a young nobleman who is in love with the daughter of Major General Stanley, but duty bound to serve with band of pirates. Nigel Smith (as Frederic), Lynsey Squair (Mabel), Alan Feeney (Pirate King), and Pauline Peek (Ruth) are capable leads, backed by a strong chorus. Even if Gilbert and Sullivan’s frothy comic operas are not to your taste, Pirates of Penzance is a classic and well worth seeing at least once. The show runs at the Swan Theatre until Saturday (oct 17).