Daron Letts
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 11/05) - Drama students in Grades 10 through 12 at Sir John Franklin high school are sailing into another ambitious and high-energy winter production with The Pirate Show.

Johnny Depp eat your heart out. Sir John Franklin school drama student, Brad Hussey, looks quite seaworthy dressed as Jolly Roger his character in The Pirate Show, directed by Landon Peters. - Daron Letts/NNSL photo

A peek at this week's rehearsals revealed a melodramatic comedy with sharp, rapid-fire dialogue, storybook sets and Stomp-style movement and musicality.

A treasure trove of pirate cliches are buried in the punchy script, from a repetitive parrot and coconut shells to deserted islands and polka dot bandannas. The actors toss a few taboos overboard along the way.

About 60 students are involved in pulling the play together, including a crew from the drama tech class that takes care of the mechanics behind the scenes.

No student melts into the background, said senior drama student Brad Hussey.

"Everyone's costumes are amazing this year," he said.

Hussey plays the dreadlocked, frilly-laced, cutlass-wielding Jolly Roger, king of the pirates.

The actors rotate from playing background extras one night to filling the juicy roles on another night, he said, ensuring that all the students experience the pressure, pleasure and pride of delivering lines from centre stage.

After months of practice, Hussey said the cast and crew are looking forward to launching this year's theatrical challenge next week.

"At first (director and drama instructor Landon Peters) told us that we'd be doing two dance numbers and a Stomp percussion sequence, along with the acting, and I thought, 'Can we get this done?'" he said. "But everyone is disciplined. I feel totally ready."

The Pirate Show shakes its booty at the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre at 7 p.m. from Nov. 17-19, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Nov. 19.