The FAOS Musical Theatre Group – formerly known as the Farnham Amateur Operatic Society – is taking Gilbert and Sullivan into outer space.

When the legendary team wrote HMS Pinafore in 1878, a hot-air balloon was man’s only way to leave the surface of the Earth, but after 143 years of technological development the show has been blasted through the atmosphere.

FAOS business manager Nigel Morley said: “We are gearing up for our return to the Farnham Maltings Great Hall with a version of Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore that we are calling USS Pinafore.

“The show is set on a starship, with lots of opportunities to entertain Star Trek enthusiasts. As ever, we’ll have a live orchestra and an appropriately stellar cast. Reassuringly, it contains all Sullivan’s music and most of Gilbert’s words.”

The audience will boldly go where no man has gone before. Captain Corcoran’s ship has been fitted with photon torpedoes and his crew have their phasers set to stun.

The ship will seek out new life and new civilisations in a new version of a classic show that is guaranteed to beam you up.

USS Pinafore will be performed from Tuesday, January 25 to Saturday, January 29 at 7.30pm, with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.

Tickets cost £12 on opening night, and £17 (£12 under-17s and full-time students) for subsequent performances. Pre-show meals cost £12.50. To book, call 01252 745444 or visit www.farnhammaltings.com