WITH his grandparents life-long Gilbert and Sullivan enthusiasts, Nick Greer has inherited their passion for the musical duo's famous songs and lyrics.

WITH his grandparents life-long Gilbert and Sullivan enthusiasts, Nick Greer has inherited their passion for the musical duo's famous songs and lyrics.

Nick has been waiting in the wings to follow in the family footsteps of the late Wilfred and Olive Copestake, and has now finally set sail on the latest voyage by the West Norfolk Gilbert and Sullivan Society as the swashbuckling pirate, Samuel, in the popular show, Pirates of Penzance.

He is appearing on stage with Anil Chakrabarti, who plays one of the leading roles of the Pirate King, Andy Hiles as apprentice Frederick, Cat Johnson as Mabel, Stuart Bull as the Major General and Tim Bartlett as the Sergeant of Police. Edith is played by Su Widd and the part of Kate by Lorayne Dawson.

The �23,000-budget show is being directed by Pauline Iredale, with Leslie Crowson looking after the musical direction.

Manager of the Ringstead Gallery at Burnham Market, Nick, 28, was looking forward to his debut performance last night with the Society which his grandparents were so influential in establishing back in 1954 in Hunstanton.

The couple, who lived at Heacham, were active both on stage and in a variety of officer and committee roles from the Society's first performance of The Mikado at Hunstanton Town Hall in 1954 up until Mr Copestake died in 1976 and his wife's death, at the age of 94, in 2006.

And at a time when the King's Lynn-based Society is keen to attract younger members on to the stage to secure its future, it is hoped that the baritone-voiced Nick's youthful enthusiasm will help to show that singing and acting in the famous Gilbert and Sullivan light operettas can be considered 'cool' by a new generation. Nick is also the youngest member of

the King's Lynn Male Voice

Choir.

Keeping alive a strong family link to the society's founders is quite a daunting prospect for Nick, but he was taking it all in his stride as he prepared for last night's opening performance at the King's Lynn Corn Exchange.

'My grandparents, who were heavily involved both on stage and behind-the-scenes, left a wonderful legacy for future generations in the Society they were influential, with others, in establishing more than half-a-century ago,' said Nick.

'I feel proud and privileged to be continuing the family tradition. I have obviously inherited their interest in music and singing and I hope that I can do justice to my first role with the Society.'

Nick's mother, Margaret Greer, who now lives on the Isle of Skye with her husband, Don, said: 'I think my parents would be thrilled to know that one of their grandchildren is continuing the family link with the society into the 21st century.'

Pirates of Penzance continues at Lynn Corn Exchange nightly until Saturday at 7.30pm, with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. Box office: 01553 764864.