Bev Jones Music Company to stage Pirates as last musical production

The decision has been made by the late York composer and musical director's widow, Lesley, who explains: "It's almost a year since we lost Bev in such tragic circumstances, just after we had staged his last musical composition, Penny Millionaire. We had promised him a few years ago that we would reprise his own version of Pirates Of Penzance, a most enjoyable, fun musical last staged by Bev in 2008 at York Theatre Royal to sell-out houses.

"And so I personally have taken the decision, for many reasons, to stage this final production as a fitting anniversary of his death. Once again it will be a not-for-profit show with funds being given to the Joseph Rowntree Theatre Trust. All our shows are fully funded by myself, and it is impossible to continue in this format ad infinitum, constantly hoping to fill the theatre and so keep the momentum for the future."

The Bev Jones Broadway version of Pirates will run at the JoRo from February 7 to 11. "Pirates was an absolute favourite of Bev's, and the same can be said of all the cast," says Lesley. "It is sheer musical joy and pleasure from start to finish, with the unforgettable music from Gilbert & Sullivan, untouched by Bev, other than re-orchestrating it for his own band.

"It's the humorous wit of the script that Bev embellished with his own personal style, leaving no opportunity missed for an extra smile for the audience. However, Iain Harvey, the director of next month's show, a Bev aficionado for many years, and a previous principal in Pirates, has added his own flourish and sartorial style to the production with modern twists. Though I won't reveal them here so as to not the spoil the element of surprise for the audience."

The company welcomes a new musical director for Pirates, Adam Parrish, who will conduct many stalwarts in the ranks of the Bev Jones ten-piece orchestra. "Adam is another new rising star in music and highly sought after in many genres," says Lesley.

Plenty of Penny Millionaire cast members will grace the stage again, including Steven Jobson as the Pirate King; Iain Harvey as Frederick; Chris Hagyard as the Major General; Terry Ford as the Police Sergeant and Clare Meadley as Ruth. "The real coup is the return of Abby Wells, who played Mabel in 2008, and though she now lives in Nottingham, she has readily agreed to move to York for the week to once again play this demanding role. She was delighted to be invited and to work again with many friends she has not seen for years."

Reflecting on her decision to bring down the curtain on musicals, Lesley says: "It has been my utmost pleasure, despite emulating the very difficult standards that Bev set, to keep his music alive while the support was still visible, but it has to be said that York now has a flurry of musical companies with a wealth of talent, mainly youth, and as Bev once said, 'theatre is for the young now'.

"I'm hoping I can call on the support of as many Bev fans as possible, and those who have continued to support the Bev Jones Music Company, for this last big production, to help us to raise some funds for the theatre trust."

Calling time on full-scale musical productions does not signal the end of the Bev Jones Music Company, however. "Bev's arrangements are pure genius, and written totally for singers, and that's the reason why so many choose to sing his music rather than others," says Lesley. "Because of this, we fully intend to continue our very successful concerts, for which we have a wealth of Bev's material as yet unheard and unsung. This allows singers, who partake with others, to rejoin without the long commitment a musical requires. So, take note: many more opportunities will be available on special occasions."

Tickets for the 7.30pm evening performances and 2.30pm Saturday matinee of The Pirates Of Penzance are on sale at £8 to £12 on 01904 501935 or at josephrowntreetheatre.co.uk