Country singer Parton launches pirate show

Dolly Parton is hoisting the Jolly Roger as she opens her new dinner theatre in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, this weekend.

The singer said today that her Western-themed Dixie Stampede show was very successful for 19 years but it was time for a change and pirates were a theme that everyone could enjoy.

Parton said she started thinking of the new show about four years ago. The opening was delayed a bit because of the troubled economy.

Pirates Voyage features two pirate galleons and a sunken wreck in a 15ft (4.6m) deep indoor lagoon.

It launches tonight with a VIP performance and opens to the public tomorrow night.

The show features pirate battles and mermaids and represents an $11m investment.