A Pirate's Life for She

by Amie Root

A gay pirate adventure play with music. Reeling from loss and betrayal, Pirate Queen Anne Bonny is on a quest to reclaim her precious ship, the Crimson Banshee, from bounty hunter and scourge-of-the-earth Barnet. Accompanying Anne are her girlfriend and first mate Mary Read; resident stylist and best friend Pierre the Pansy; a shanty-singing pirate crew; and a young man with a quest of his own - to rescue his...

A gay pirate adventure play with music. Reeling from loss and betrayal, Pirate Queen Anne Bonny is on a quest to reclaim her precious ship, the Crimson Banshee, from bounty hunter and scourge-of-the-earth Barnet. Accompanying Anne are her girlfriend and first mate Mary Read; resident stylist and best friend Pierre the Pansy; a shanty-singing pirate crew; and a young man with a quest of his own - to rescue his dear Petunia. See this entourage of scallywags band together as they seek treasure, companionship, and revenge.

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A Pirate's Life for She

Character Information

Cast of 11 requires doubling of the 5 person shanty crew as French Merchants and Barnet's crew, as well as the actor playing Patch can double as Barnet if needed.

This show is 2f, 2m, and the rest of the 7 characters are intentionally written without gender and can be played by any and all who fit the part. With that said, the intention of the piece is to provide oportunities for underrepresented genders to get to play gay pirates.
  • Anne Bonny
    The Pirate Queen and captain of the Crimson Banshee. Anne is a fiery and hot-tempered, pansexual, Irish woman. Extremely loyal to her friends and crew. Her dress embraces her womanhood and since Pierre designs her clothes, fighting practicality can still come first. She suffers from alcoholism and depression.
    20-40
    Irish
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Mary Read
    Fellow pirate, First Mate, and girlfriend to Anne. Mary is a warm-hearted and witty lesbian woman. She fights with grace and ferocity. Her Christianity is very important to her. Mary wears "mens" clothing, like she did growing up, which Pierre designs and tailors for her.
    20-40
    English
    Female or AFAB Non-binary
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Pierre
    Best Friend to Anne and Mary. Pierre is a French gay man who lives openly and freely. He prides himself on his appearance and immaculately trimmed beard. He is the owner of “Mon Ingénue", the bar/bistro/dressmaker shop. He is an extremely passionate fashion designer. He fights with finesse and panache.
    20-40
    French
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Jack "Jilly"
    Dashing young English man with an innocent demeanor as if he is always a little in over his head. Kind spoken, but there is always something about him that seems curious or out of place. Sexually fluid.
    18-30
    English
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Patch
    Clairvoyant cook. Hard of hearing and does not speak. Moves at a deliberate old barkeeps pace regardless of circumstance. There is nothing Patch can't make right. Non-verbal, physical roll.
    Old
    Female,
    Non-binary,
    Male,
    Any (but preferably Female/Non-Binary)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Max
    Shanty singing crewmember. Boatswain; Conductor, storyteller, bit of a romantic, thick pirate accent.

    All shanty crew are intentionally written non-gender conforming. Open to any age, gender, or ethnicity. Please prioritize inclusive casting.
    Female,
    Non-binary,
    Male,
    flexible
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Sam
    Shanty singing crewmember. Master Gunner; No subtlety, bull in a China shop, protector, Scout's other half, thick pirate accent.

    All shanty crew are intentionally written non-gender conforming. Open to any age, gender, or ethnicity. Please prioritize inclusive casting.
    Female,
    Non-binary,
    Male,
    flexible
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Ash
    Shanty singing crewmember. Carpenter; Always has a snack, amorous, medium pirate accent.

    All shanty crew are intentionally written non-gender conforming. Open to any age, gender, or ethnicity. Please prioritize inclusive casting.
    Female,
    Non-binary,
    Male,
    flexible
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Scout
    Shanty singing crewmember. Rigger/Lookout; gymnastic, kind, curious, Sam's other half, medium pirate accent.

    All shanty crew are intentionally written non-gender conforming. Open to any age, gender, or ethnicity. Please prioritize inclusive casting.
    Female,
    Non-binary,
    Male,
    flexible
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Fin
    Shanty singing crew. Sailing Master; Philosopher, over-analyzes, brainy, minimal pirate accent.

    All shanty crew intentionally written non-gender conforming. Open to any age, gender, or ethnicity. Please prioritize inclusive casting.
    Female,
    Non-binary,
    Male,
    flexible
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Barnet
    Villain. Bounty hunter.
    20-70
    Female,
    Non-binary,
    Male,
    Flexible Preferred Woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Barnet's First Mate
    Captain Barnet's First Mate. Simple.
    Female,
    Non-binary,
    Male,
    flexible
  • Peggi Pegleg
    A member of Barnet's Crew. Overly chipper! (Preferably the same gender presentation as Ash.)
    Adult
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+

Development History

  • Workshop, Oconaluftee Little Symphony Society, 2021
  • Reading, Western Illinois University, 2021

Production History

  • University, Western Illinois University, 2022