Although most pirates were bloodthirsty mercenaries it is suggested that some joined pirate ships to get away from an oppressive and patriarchal society. This ties in with ideas of queer people escaping from the norms of society. I think this can be the underlying theme of the story. When we select performances/songs etc we can tease out ideas about what the good pirate is escaping from and hoping to find. The stories we share can explore the society the pirates are leaving and their utopian ideas for a queer community.
Pat's idea. Steal Cutty Sark in the present day. Travel in the past via magic
Quest for treasure, e.g. the lost sword of ...? But the treasure turns out to be ..?
...a diamond encrusted d*ldo (!)? ..."Love"? ..represented by Umami as Venus in a half shell?
...treasure is a skeleton ..a ribcage ("chest") with a heart?
Elements of story
Reflect what we learn from "The Pirate's Code" e.g. pirates obey silly rules, have to pay for some things
Visit parts of the world to meet different types of pirate we know existed e.g. Caribbean, Spain .. Women pirates, and
LGBT pirates ...escaping oppression
Pirates stealing for themselves ..for governments
Pirates who are not criminals
Dramatic techniques Pirates entertain each other, cabaret style, which could include "telling their stories" about how they each chose piracy? Through songs and spoken word, comedy? All kinds of possibilities ...
Interaction with audience
Audience vote for who walks the plank
Convey story in different ways e.g. background info projected on screens
Possible characters Perhaps the Captain thinks he is on a quest for treasure, but he is lonely and gradually realises he is on a quest for love .
Scurvy Stella, the Ship's Cook.