“The British excel at theatre and satire like hardly any other nation. Spymonkey can do both: in the opulent hustle on stage, historically informed staging, contemporary satire, and movement-based marvels such as a ballet of air spirits blend into an amusing, exuberant mix.” (Der Standard, March 29, 2026) “Spymonkey at

These Pirates take Vienna by Storm The British directing duo Spymonkey have made a success of the operetta *The Pirates of Penzance* at the Volksoper By Judith Belfkih Robert Kitzler, ‘interim director’ of the Volksoper, promises the audience at the start an evening of musical theatre just like in the

British Pirates: Woke? Conservative? Witty! Volksoper. The Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert and Sullivan promises an evening of non-stop laughter and excellent music Die Presse review by Jens F. Laurson Watch out, the pirates are coming – from the notorious British seaside town of Penzance to Vienna (presumably via circuitous

A shift to the right at the Volksoper? The production by the British duo Spymonkey, alias Aitor Basauri and Toby Park, manages the balancing act between exuberant slapstick and astute social commentary A theatre performance featuring an ensemble in historical costumes. Several women wear colourful, voluminous dresses with hats, whilst