[1] The satire coincided with Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance, the opening production of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre's Lyric Theatre on 7 February 1985.
[3] The Paisley Pirates of Penzance was the first of six plays produced in Brisbane between 1985 and 1996 by a group of arts workers who formed a company called ToadShow Pty Ltd in 1986.
In The Paisley Pirates of Penzance, the role of the Major-General was played by comedian Gerry Connolly impersonating Queensland Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen.
[citation needed] ToadShow produced The Paisley Pirates of Penzance (1985), Conway Christ Redneck Superstar (1985), Hound of Music (1986), SherWoodstock (1990), Phantoad of the Opera (1991) and Glamalot (1996).
[citation needed] A third performance in the early hours of 10 February was staged for patrons who had failed to obtain tickets, and for the cast and crew of The Pirates of Penzance who had heard of the production through word of mouth.
[3] Writing in Time Off, Gavin Sawford said, "The Paisley Pirates of Penzance [was] a satirical reworking and updating of the Gilbert and Sullivan classic which proved a surprise hit of 1985.