HMS Pinafore - English National Opera

All aboard HMS Pinafore for this hilarious revival of Gilbert & Sullivan’s nautical love triangle, where the comic opera duo navigate the tricky waters of class, rank, patriotism and power, in their signature slapstick style.

Overview

Join Captain Corcoran and his daughter Josephine as she faces a battle between duty and love on the high seas. While her father makes plans for her to tie the knot with the suitably ranked First Lord of the Admiralty, Josephine has romantic ideas of her own. And after falling for lowly deckhand Ralph, the loved-up pair make plans to elope. That is, until a surprise revelation rocks the boat.

Staging & Score

This laugh-out-loud opera is set aboard the Royal Navy warship HMS Pinafore. And while the ship remains anchored in Portsmouth, it didn’t stop the opera reaching international shores and becoming the first of Gilbert & Sullivan’s operas to find global success. Following its premiere in 2021, this Cal McCrystal production was nominated for an Olivier Award for Set and Costume Design in the Outstanding Achievement in Opera category.

With its fast pace, topical humour and quintessential Britishness, the score includes some of the most popular operatic music in the world, enjoyed both on stage and featuring in popular TV shows like The Simpsons and The West Wing. If quick-fire humour floats your boat, we think you’ll love HMS Pinafore.

BSL Signed:

Saturday, 31st January, 3:00pm

Age Restrictions

Ages 5+. Children under the age of 5 are not permitted in the auditorium. Children under the age of 16 must be seated with an adult.

Performance Times

Now taking bookings for performances from Fri 23rd January 2026 until Sat 7th February 2026.

Show times for each day are below.

Mon

-

Tue

-

Wed

-

Thu

7.30pm

Fri

-

Sat

3.00pm
7.30pm

Sun

-

Images & Videos

HMS Pinafore - English National Opera photo from the show

London Coliseum Details

Bus routes: St. Martin's Lane 24, 29, 176 / 6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 23, 87, 91, 139

Night buses: St. Martin's Lane 24, 176, N5, N20, N29, N41, N279 / 6, 23, 139, N9, N15, N11, N13, N21, N26, N44, N47, N87, N89, N91, N155, N343, N551

Nearest rail: Charing Cross

Tube lines: Piccadilly, Northern

Nearest tube: Leicester Square

Directions from Leicester Square :

(3mins) Take Cranbourn Street until St Martin’s Lane, where you head right until you reach the theatre.

Car park: Q-Park: Chinatown (5mins) / Other: St Martin's Lane Hotel (1min)

In congestion zone?: Yes

Facilities at London Coliseum

Air conditioned

Bar

Disabled toilets

Infrared hearing loop

Toilets

Wheelchair accessible

London Coliseum Location

St Martin's Lane, London, WC2N 4ES

Get directions

Please note: The location shown on the map is an approximate location of the theatre. In the majority of cases the theatre will be marked on the map so please make sure you locate the exact location yourself. If the theatre is not shown on the map please make sure you locate the correct road name and take account of the directions.