Jo Brand to star in an opera

Jo Brand is to sing in an opera on the West End stage.

The 50-year-old comic will appear in the Gilbert & Sullivan operetta The Pirates of Penzance in February.

She will play the role the Sergeant of Police, more usually played by a male singer with a deep bass voice suited to such songs as ‘When a felon's not engaged in his employment’ and ‘A rollicking band of pirates we’.

Brand will be appearing as part of the Carl Rosa opera company, who have a month-long residency at the Gielgud Theatre. Pirates of Penzance runs from 18 February to 1 March.

She is also about to star in an ITV show, Britain Sings Christmas, where she will form part of a 20-strong celebrity choir.

Impressionist Alistair McGowan will guest star in another production, taking the title role in The Mikado, from nuary 30 to February 9.

McGowan made his West End musical debut earlier this year in Little Shop of Horrors.

Published: 6 Nov 2007