Staveley Amateur Operatic Society is back with a skit at the law, the military and an Englishman's sense of duty, all wrapped up in Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance.

After last year's hugely successful Venetian exploits in The Gondoliers, society members are chomping at the G and S bit, and ready to stage another dose of comic opera in the village hall, from next Monday, September 10, until Saturday, September 15 (7.30pm).

Cast-wise, the well-known names return: staunch Stavelian, and a man who by now must know the G and S repertoire inside out, is David Towers as Frederick.

First-class performer Pam Morrow is Ruth; and a model of a major general is Terry Sykes (Major General Stanley), now in his second year with SAOS.

A former professional actor, he's appeared in television, theatre plays and musicals and also performs at Staveley Roundhouse.

No stranger to the Staveley stage is Angela Dixon who plays Edith; Lynda Read is Mabel, the Major's daughter, Frederick's love interest.

After growing a moustache for The Gondoliers, this year nursery head teacher Nick Birbeck adds a bandana, eye patch and matching cutlass as the Pirate King.

Alan Boyes is Samuel, the pirate's lieutenant; and Maddie Campbell plays Isabel, another of the Major's offspring.

In addition to the SAOS regulars it's good to see young Alex Brockbank step into the limelight as Isabel.

Although making her Staveley debut, Alex is no stage novice, having played many roles for other societies and her former school, Kendal's Queen Katherine, as well as demonstrating her outstanding vocal skills in the acclaimed Amabile Girls Choir.

However, no Gilbert and Sullivan production would be complete without the guiding hands of producer and musical director Doreen Dunlop.

Doreen exudes energy and enthusiasm and pulls the whole spectacle together yet again.

And her hubbie, Clarry, has designed the set.

The Staveley society's first production was The Mikado, in 1953, performed under the watchful eye of conductor, the late Harry Hayton.

And its link with Kendal's Gilbert and Sullivan Society helps keep the Victorian librettist and his composing colleague's wonderful and somewhat nave and comical work alive in South Lakeland today.

Tickets are £5.50/£4.50 concessions, available from Kendal tourist information centre, or on 01539-724860.