HMS Pinafore is set to sail into Worcester and harbour at The Swan.

The Gilbert and Sullivan classic will be performed by the Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society, and the group has history with this particular show.

Bruce Wyatt, a spokesman for WODS said: "It was premiered in May 1878, just 14 years before WODS staged it for the first time; and 125 years on and it’s almost ready to sail again, and it looks like the Captain’s daughter Josephine is getting into the swing of it.

"In this new version, the Captain is played by Mike Staiger, who has performed a number of roles for WODS since he joined in 2001 including Judge Turpin (‘Sweeney Todd’) and Franz Liebkind in ‘The Producers’."

Mr Wyatt added: "The Captain’s daughter Josephine, played by Lynsey Squair is no stranger to this role having played it twice before, for Great Witley Operatic Society and Pershore Operatic Society. This will be Lynsey’s third show with WODS.

"As the story unwinds we find Josephine is pursued by Ralph Rackstraw a mere sailor, and for such reason a marriage could not be possible. Eventually we find out that Ralph and the Captain were actually mixed at birth and so Ralph is in fact the Captain and all ends well."

Bruce added: "Not only is this a milestone in time, ‘HMS Pinafore and Other Infernal Nonsense’ will be WODS 179th production. We are also proud of our fund raising history; although the first production in 1892 was in aid of The Infirmary and lost £13!

"In more recent years WODS has donated over £14,000 to local charities. This time it will be supporting the Worcester Branch of the RNLI."

"HMS Pinafore and Other Infernal Nonsense’ opens at the Swan Theatre on April 25 until April 29."

Tickets on, 01905 611427.