The 30 th International
GILBERT & SULLIVAN Festival
27 July – 10 August 2024
The Full Programme December Newsletter
Table of contents
Festival at A Glance Your Day at the Festival FAQs Festival Venues How to Book Tickets Join the Friends Evening in Chatsworth Join In Accommodation Packages Festival News The Gondoliers HMS Pinafore Trial by Jury National Festival Orchestra Murray Hipkin Pull out Booking Forms Bring a Group Seating Plans Daily Schedule Christmas Presents
JOIN US IN GRIM’S DYKE FOR AN EXCLUSIVE NEW YEAR WEEKEND 5 January – 8 January 2024 Prices from £799 per person. Detailed Itinerary and to book: www.theatricaladventures.com or call Oliver on 01422 323252.
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Welcome to the 30th International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF THE INTERNATIONAL GILBERT & SULLIVAN FESTIVAL
The late and much-missed Ian Smith, whose vision, enthusiasm and extraordinary creativity kept the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival going through thick and thin, would be the first to lead the applause as we celebrate our thirtieth birthday in Buxton in 2024. Ian adored his G&S, and he loved nothing more than meeting old friends and welcoming new ones to his beloved Festival. The Festival has experienced considerable ups and considerable downs across the years, which have seen it move from Buxton to Harrogate and finally, last year, return full circle back to the beautiful Buxton Opera House, where it all began in 1994. What a tumultuous, exciting, exhilarating ride it has been! When the first Festival opened, the D’Oyly Carte had closed, and although many amateur societies were performing G&S, there was no doubt that the popularity of the shows was
in serious decline. Fast forward thirty years, and what a difference. More and more professional companies, including Scottish Opera, English National Opera, Opera Holland Park, to name a few, now regularly include Gilbert and Sullivan in their repertoire. And their popularity keeps growing as new generations come to love the words, the music and the sheer joy of the operas. So, our thanks go to the thousands of performers who have been on stage during our fantastic thirty years and the many thousands of visitors, many of whom return year after year to see Gilbert & Sullivan performed by the very best. The Festival is here because you want it to be. We are driven by the affection and love our visitors have for this unique event, and you can be sure we will bring you the very best entertainment we can in 2024. We look forward to seeing you next summer to make more special memories.
Festival at a glance Key BOH
Buxton Opera House
PAC
Pavilion Arts Centre
SJC
St John's Church
PG
Pavilion Gardens
OCT
Octagon Foyer
LWH
Lee Wood Hotel
2.30 pm
The Three Amigos Bonaventura Bottone, Donald Maxwell, Richard Suart
SJC
7.30 pm
The Gondoliers Edinburgh G&S Society
BOH
10.00 pm
Festival Club and Cabaret
PG
Wednesday 31 July
Saturday 27 July 2.30 pm
The Gondoliers NGSOC
BOH
7.30 pm
The Gondoliers NGSOC
BOH
10.00 pm
Festival Club and Cabaret
PG
10.30 am
Introduction to HMS Pinafore and Trial by Jury Stephen Turnbull
SJC
1.00 pm
Classical Pops
SJC
2.30 pm
Edinburgh G&S Society Entertain
SJC
2.30 pm
HMS Pinafore & Trial by Jury NGSOC
BOH
7.30 pm
HMS Pinafore & Trial by Jury NGSOC
BOH
10.00 pm
Festival Club and Cabaret
PG
Sunday 28 July 10.30 am
Introduction to The Pirates of Penzance Stephen Turnbull
SJC
1.00 pm
Classical Pops
SJC
2.30 pm
The Pirates of Penzance NGSOC
BOH
7.30 pm
The Pirates of Penzance NGSOC
BOH
10.00pm
Festival Club and Cabaret
PG
Monday 29 July 10.30 am
The Tiny World of Toy Theatres Trevor Griffin
SJC
1.00 pm
Classical Pops
SJC
2.30 pm
Flanders and Swann Donald Maxwell and Chris Milton
SJC
7.30 pm
The Yeomen of the Guard Grosvenor Light Opera Company
BOH
Festival Club and Cabaret
PG
10.00 pm
Tuesday 30 July
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10.30 am
Painful Though The Duty Be Chris Milton and Fergus Butler-Gallie
SJC
1.00 pm
Classical Pops
SJC
Thursday 1 August 10.30 am
SJC Herbert Sullivan and Sir Arthur - Elaine Richardson
1.00 pm
Classical Pops
SJC
2.30 pm
Princess Ida York University
PAC
7.30 pm
Iolanthe - Peak Opera
BOH
10.00 pm
Festival Club and Cabaret
PG
Friday 2 August 10.30 am
Taking the Waters Again Ian Bradley
SJC
1.00 pm
Classical Pops
SJC
2.30 pm
Ruddigore Birmingham University
PAC
2.30 pm
The Sorcerer Charles Court Opera
BOH
7.30 pm
The Sorcerer Charles Court Opera
BOH
10.00 pm
Festival Club and Cabaret
PG
Saturday 3 August
Wednesday 7 August
10-4pm
Memorabilia Fair All day
OF
10.30 am
Introduction to The Gondoliers -Stephen Turnbull
SJC
10.30 am
A Matter of Life and Death - Ian Bradley
SJC
1.00 pm
Classical Pops
SJC
1.00 pm
Classical Pops
SJC
2.30 pm
The Gondoliers NGSOC
BOH
The Best of G&S - New NGSOC
BOH
2.30 pm
7.30 pm
The Gondoliers NGSOC
BOH
The Pirates of Penzance NGSOC
BOH
10.00 pm
Festival Club and Cabaret
PG
7.30 pm 10.00 pm
Festival Club and Cabaret
PG
Sunday 4 August
Thursday 8 August 10.30 am
Staging Ivanhoe David Wilmore
SJC
1.00 pm
Classical Pops
SJC
2.30 pm
Princess Ida - Oxford Uni
PAC
7.30 pm
The Mikado
BOH
10.00 pm
Festival Club and Cabaret
PG
11.00 am
Festival Church Service St John's Church
12.45 pm
Festival Luncheon Lee Wood Hotel
LWH
2.30 pm
The Pirates of Penzance NGSOC
BOH
7.30 pm
HMS Pinafore and Trial by Jury NGSOC
BOH
10.30 am
Travelling with G&S Adriane Berg
SJC
10.00 pm
Festival Club and Cabaret
PG
1.00 pm
Classical Pops
SJC
2.30 pm
The Pirates of Penzance NGSOC
BOH
5.00 pm
Awards Ceremony
PAC
7.30 pm
The Best of G&S - New NGSOC
BOH
10.00 pm
Festival Club and Cabaret
PG
Monday 5 August 10.30 am
Herbert Sullivan and The Gilberts - Elaine Richardson
SJC
1.00 pm
Classical Pops
SJC
2.30 pm
The Pirates of Penzance Harrogate G&S Society
PAC
7.30 pm
The Grand Duke Savoy Company
BOH
10.00 pm
Festival Club and Cabaret
PG
Tuesday 6 August
SavoyNet Performing Group
Friday 9 August
Saturday 10 August 10.30 am
Coffee and Conversation with Murray Hipkin
SJC
1.00 pm
Classical Pops
SJC
10.30 am
The History of the Trumpet Anthony Thompson
SJC
2.30 pm
The Sorcerer Youth Production
PAC
1.00 pm
Classical Pops
SJC
2.30 pm
BOH
2.30 pm
Mr Jericho The Lyra Players
SJC
HMS Pinafore and Trial by Jury NGSOC
7.30 pm
BOH
7.30 pm
Patience - Bus Pass Opera BOH
The Gondoliers NGSOC
10.00 pm
Festival Club and Cabaret
10.00 pm
Festival Club and Cabaret
PG
PG
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Your Typical Day at the Festival You can book just one show in the Opera House, or you can immerse yourself in the many activities available for visitors every day. Here is a what typical day at the Festival looks like. 10.30 am Morning talk in St John’s Church 1.00 pm Classical Pops recital in St John’s Church 2.30 pm Matinee performance in the Pavilion Arts Centre, St John’s church and / or Buxton Opera House 7.30 pm Main performance in Buxton Opera House 10.00 pm Nightly Festival Club to midnight in the Pavilion Gardens
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The International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival was founded in 1994 and for the first 20 years was staged in Buxton Opera House. In 2014 the Festival moved to Harrogate, but last year returned to its spiritual home in the beautiful Derbyshire Peak District. The Festival brings together a wonderful mix of leading amateur groups who compete for the coveted Championship Trophy along with fabulous professional performances from the Festival’s resident company, The National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company and Charles Court Opera. Next door to the Opera House, in the Pavilion Arts Centre, is UNIFest, a competition featuring leading British universities – each bringing a fully-staged production accompanied by the UNIFest Orchestra. The Festival Youth Production and Harrogate Gilbert & Sullivan Society, will also perform here. There is no doubt that the magic of Gilbert & Sullivan endures and the Festival embraces the very best. We look forward to sharing it with you.
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FAQs
New to Buxton?
I’ve never been to Buxton Opera House before, what can I expect? Buxton Opera House is a beautiful theatre and is one of the finest examples of Frank Matcham theatre design. Where is everything located in the theatre? Stalls – Ground floor - Small bar, accessible entrance and toilet, two ice cream sales points, merchandise stand, ladies’ and gents’ toilets, and Box Office are all on this level. Dress Circle - First floor - Largest bar, ice cream sales point, ladies’ and gents’ toilets, Matcham Gallery, and the Dress Circle Boxes are all on this level. Upper Circle - Second floor - Bar area, ladies’ toilets and ice cream sales point are on this level. Gallery – Third floor (See the seating plan on page 15) *Please note there are no lifts to the upper floor Is there an Induction Loop System or Infra-Red Headsets? There are passive infra-red (PIR) systems in both the Opera House & Pavilion Arts Centre for people with hearing impairments. This works through a special headset rather than your hearing aid and is available from the theatre. Please reserve one when you book your tickets (a £10 cash deposit is required). There is also an induction loop system at both Box Office venues. Where is the nearest car park? There is free parking after 6pm in the car park behind Pavilion Gardens, a short walk from both venues (Please note: the covered area of the car park closes at 6pm). There is also free on-street car parking after 6pm close to the theatre, but please make sure that you avoid the Residents Parking Scheme areas. Will there be a Festival Club after the show? Yes, we are pleased to advise that the Festival Club will open at 10 pm every evening after the show in the Opera House, next door in the Pavilion Gardens. The Festival will have exclusive use of this space and there will be a bar, supper and entertainment through to midnight. Entry is £3.00 Will there be a G&S shop and Information Desk? Yes, the Festival will have two portacabins located on the right-hand side of the Opera House. These will be staffed throughout the event. If you have any additional questions, please email sarah@gsfestivals.org
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Buxton Venues Buxton Opera House Buxton Opera House (901 seats) is our main venue. It is an exquisitely beautiful Edwardian theatre and one of the country’s finest examples of Frank Matcham theatre design. The theatre was lovingly restored to its former glory in 2001.
We w i seve ll be us in ral v enu g dur es ing Fest the ival
Pavilion Arts Centre The Pavilion Arts Centre is our second theatre (next door to the Opera House), and opened in September 2010. It is housed in what was formerly the Paxton Suite of the Pavilion Gardens complex behind the Opera House. UNIFest, the Festival Youth Production and other matinees will be staged here.
St John’s Church St John’s Church, across the road from the Opera House, will be the venue for the Festival’s morning talks, Classical Pops, matinee events and the Sunday Service.
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The Pavilion Gardens The Pavilion Gardens is a Grade II listed historic venue which superbly shows off the Victorian splendour of Buxton. During the day, the building offers a shop, restaurant and bar. Outside is the delightful promenade and bandstand and 23 acres of gardens to explore with a boating lake, miniature train and fountains. Every evening the Festival has exclusive use of the restaurant area for the Festival Club and cabaret after the show in the Opera House. There is a bar and suppers will also be available.
Lee Wood Hotel The Festival luncheon will take place Sunday 4 August at the Lee Wood Hotel, just a short walk from the Opera House.
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How to book your tickets Theatre tickets flew out of the door for last year’s Festival, and most shows sold almost all the seats in the stalls and dress circle well before the Festival opened, so we urge you to book early to ensure you get the best seats in the house. Tickets for Festival performances in Buxton Opera House are available on a priority booking system, first to members of the ‘Friends of the G&S Festival’ and on open sale to non-members from Thursday, 1 February 2024. You can join and become a member now and enjoy priority booking and the applicable member discounts through to Monday, 22 January 2024. It’s easy to join online at www.gsfestivals.org/friends or by phone - 01422 323252. For information about the membership categories, see page 12. How the Priority Booking system works Members have three booking options. Online Members can book tickets online during the periods indicated in the ‘Key Dates’ section. All members will receive a unique code by email to use at the checkout, and this will ensure you receive the appropriate discount and access to booking. The codes and a link to book will be emailed to all members the day of their relevant booking period. Please check your spam/junk/clutter folders and if you do not receive your code, please email sarah@gsfestivals.org By Phone Members can call the Priority Draw Box Office on 01422 323252 between 10 am and 4 pm (Monday to Friday) on the applicable dates listed in the KEY DATES section.
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By post/email Complete the booking forms in the centre of the newsletter and return to G&S Festivals, The Old Vicarage, All Souls Road, Halifax HX3 6DR or scan and email to sarah@gsfestivals.org Member Discounts All members receive discounts on tickets (for bookings received by 22 January 2024). Single member - £1 discount per show booked (in the Opera House only) Joint/family members – 2 x £1 discount per show booked (in the Opera House only) Key Dates for Priority Booking for members Priority Booking 1 From Monday 11 December 2023 Priority booking opens for Patrons, Festival Partners and Life Members. Priority Booking 2 From Monday 18 December 2023 Priority booking opens for Benefactors. Priority Booking 3 From Monday 15 January – Monday 22 January 2024 Priority booking opens for Festival members.
Open Sale From Thursday 1 February 2024
Priority Booking for all members will close on Monday 22 January 2024 This is the final opportunity for members to enjoy Priority Booking and receive member discounts and free postage for tickets. Open Sale Tickets go on open sale from Buxton Opera House at 11.00 am on Thursday 1 February 2024. Go online at www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk or call 01298 72190 Can I exchange or get a refund on my tickets? Sorry, we are unable to refund tickets unless a show is cancelled. Refunds on tickets are not given if there is a change of cast or if, for any reason, you can no longer attend an event. If the event is cancelled, you will be given a refund (excluding postage costs). In some circumstances, tickets may be exchanged for a different show during the Festival, and a small administration charge will apply. WE URGE ALL CUSTOMERS TO TAKE OUT INSURANCE IN CASE THEY ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND.
The G&S Festival Booking office will be closed 23 December 2 January for phone bookings
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WILL YOU BECOME A FRIEND OF THE G&S FESTIVAL? JOIN TODAY AND MAKE SURE YOU GET THE BEST SEATS IN THE HOUSE! Why do we need your support? The support of our "Friends" is fundamental to the continuation and success of the Festival and it is only through your generosity that we are able to plan for the future with confidence. 2024 marks an important anniversary for our charity as we celebrate twenty years since its establishment in 2004. During those twenty years, it has donated many thousands of pounds towards our numerous youth initiatives, the UNIFest university programme and Bus Pass Opera, to name a few. However, the "Friends" charity is more than simply a fundraising machine. It is right at the heart of everything the Festival stands for. There is absolutely no question, without the Friends, the Festival would not be here today. It is as simple as that! So, we hope we have persuaded you to join us. You can be a member from just £35 a year and enjoy great benefits and the knowledge you are helping to keep the Festival going for future generations THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
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The rewards of being a Friend FRIEND Single membership £35; Joint £50; Family £75 - Priority Draw number 3 - Emails and newsletters with member offers and advance announcements - Free member activities at the Festival - Recognition of your support in the Festival Souvenir Programme BENEFACTOR Single membership £100; Joint £150 - Benefactors enjoy all the rewards of a Friend plus - Priority Draw No 2 - Free Festival Souvenir programme value £10 - One free DVD (to a value of £19.50) per single or joint Benefactor - Pass for free entry into the Festival Club in Buxton FESTIVAL PARTNER Single membership £350; Joint £500 - Festival Partners enjoy all the rewards of a Benefactor plus - Priority Draw No 1 - 2 free tickets to the Festival Youth Production LIFE MEMBER Single membership £1000; Joint £1500 - All the benefits of a Benefactor - Priority Draw No 1
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A Festival night to remember with Simon Butteriss at Chatsworth House DATE TO BE CONFIRMED A coach will be provided for guests from Buxton. We are delighted to announce a special gala evening during the Festival at one of the world’s best-loved stately homes, Chatsworth House, for a night you will certainly remember. The performance, starring celebrated comic baritone, Simon Butteriss, will take place in Chatsworth’s own magnificent theatre and it is a fantastic opportunity for guests to visit this rarely seen gem. Simon Butteriss
The theatre was created by the celebrated designer William Helmsley in 1896 at the request of the 8th Duke of Devonshire. This was at a time when the theatre was at its most fashionable, partly because of the affair of the Duke’s great friend, the Prince of Wales with the actress Lily Langtree. The Prince, who became King Edward VII, was such a regular visitor that the press dubbed it the ‘Theatre Royal’. At the time of going to print, we are waiting for confirmation of the date. Guests are limited to a hundred and members of the ‘Friends of the Festival’ will enjoy priority booking. More information about this fabulous evening to follow.
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How you can join the fun of the Festival Bus Pass Opera Over 60? Missing being on stage? Come and join the cast of Bus Pass Opera in their performance of Patience in Buxton Opera House on Tuesday 6 August. Bus Pass Opera is a firm favourite at the Festival and great fun too. Alan Borthwick directs and David Lyle is musical director. To apply, please complete the online form at www.gsfestivals.org/bus-pass-opera or email sarah@gsfestivals.org with your voice type, if you have been in a previous Bus Pass Opera or Festival production and if you would like to be considered for a principal role. Rehearsals will begin in Buxton on Monday 29 July (2 pm) and will be daily through to the production on 6 August. There is a nominal participating charge of £40. Please apply as soon as possible and no later than 1 March 2024.
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Festival Youth Production The Youth Production is a highlight of every Festival and is open to young people aged nine to eighteen years old. Rachel Harland will direct this year’s performance of The Sorcerer, to be staged in the Pavilion Arts Centre on Saturday 10 August at 2.30pm. Rehearsals will begin in Buxton on Saturday 3 August. No previous stage experience is necessary – just bags of enthusiasm and lots of energy. G&S is the ideal introduction to opera and musical theatre and many of our young performers return year after year, making lifelong friendships along the way. Auditions for principal roles are via DVD/YouTube. There are no auditions for chorus members. More information and application forms are online at www.gsfestivals. org/youth-production
Gilbert & Sullivan Church Service St John’s Church, Buxton 11.00 am on Sunday 4 August Featuring some of Sullivan’s sacred music, the service is one of the festival’s highlights. This year we intend to include one of Sullivan’s longer anthems together with other works and hymns to be sung by St John’s choir augmented by other G&S singers who must be available to attend the necessary rehearsals at St John’s. These are scheduled for: Friday 2 August 6.15 pm to 7.25 pm Sunday 4 August 9.45 am to 10.30 am Music will be provided by the festival. If you would like to join the choir, please send the following information before 30 June 2024 to Sarah Taylor sarah@gsfestivals.org with the following information: • • • •
Name Email address and Mobile phone number Voice part: Soprano, Alto, Tenor or Bass Confirmation that you are able to attend both rehearsals
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Accommodation Packages What's included Three Night Package - 3 nights bed and breakfast (Lee Wood Hotel includes pretheatre dinner each evening) - 3 best theatre tickets in the Opera House (dress circle) - 1 ticket to a matinee performance in the Pavilion Arts Centre or St John’s Church - 1 ticket to a morning fringe event - 1 Classical Pops ticket - Festival Souvenir Programme - 3 Festival Club Tickets
Four Night Package - 4 nights bed and breakfast (Lee Wood Hotel includes pretheatre dinner each evening) - 4 best theatre tickets in the Opera House (dress circle) - 2 tickets to a matinee performance in the Pavilion Arts Centre or St John’s Church - 2 tickets to a morning fringe event - 2 Classical Pops tickets - Festival Souvenir Programme - 4 Festival Club tickets
Seven Night Package - 7 nights bed and breakfast (Lee Wood Hotel includes pretheatre dinner each evening) - 7 best theatre tickets in the Opera House (dress circle) - 3 tickets to a matinee performance in the Pavilion Arts Centre or St John’s Church - 4 tickets to a morning fringe event - 3 Classical Pops tickets - Festival Souvenir Programme - 7 Festival Club tickets
THE COSTS Price per person in a twin/double room Package
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3 Night Package 4 Night Package 7 Night Package
Palace Hotel (Bed & breakfast basis)
£560
£710
£1100
Old Hall Hotel (Bed & breakfast basis based on Classic Room)
£600
£760
£1185
Lee Wood Hotel (Pre-theatre dinner, bed & breakfast basis)
£660
£845
£1340
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Single supplement
The Palace - £60 per night - double for single occupancy The Old Hall - £52 per night – standard double for single occupancy Lee Wood - £30 per night – double for single occupancy
Room upgrades
Old Hall Executive Room (2 guests) - £20 per room per night Four poster room (2 guests) - £30 per night Palace Hotel Executive Room (2 guests, twin beds only) - £10 per room per night
The Palace Hotel Packages in the Palace Hotel are on a bed and breakfast basis and prices are listed on page 15. You can select any nights you want to stay on the order form and choose the shows you wish to see. Since 1868, the Palace Hotel has been an important building in the spa town of Buxton. Situated in over five acres of landscaped gardens, the hotel is a five minute walk (up the hill) from the Opera House. The Palace Hotel has many on-site facilities for guests to enjoy including a health and leisure club (small fee applies) with an indoor pool, gym, spa, sauna and steam rooms. The hotel's spacious en-suite bedrooms have tea and coffee-making facilities, a TV and a hairdryer. Wi-Fi is available free of charge in public areas and there is a 24-hour reception for your convenience. Car Parking: £5 for 24 hours; 180 parking spaces, 10 disabled spaces, no height restrictions.
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Packages at the Lee Wood Hotel & Old Hall Hotel are available on the following dates Three Night Package Booking Reference Lee Wood- LW327 Arrive Saturday 27th July – Depart Tuesday 30th July Old Hall - OH327 Your Opera House programme includes: The Gondoliers (National G&S Opera Co), The Pirates of Penzance (National G&S Opera Co) and The Yeomen of the Guard (Grosvenor Light Opera Co) Booking Reference
Arrive Saturday 3rd Aug – Depart Tuesday 6th Aug Lee Wood- LW303 Old Hall - OH303 Your Opera House programme includes: The Pirates of Penzance (National G&S Opera Co), HMS Pinafore & Trial by Jury (National G&S Opera Co) and The Grand Duke (Savoy Company) Booking Reference Four Night Package Lee Wood- LW430 Arrive Tuesday 30th July – Depart Saturday 3rd August Old Hall - OH430 Your Opera House programme includes: The Gondoliers (Edinburgh G&S Society), HMS Pinafore & Trial by Jury (National G&S Opera Co), Iolanthe (Peak Opera) and The Sorcerer (Charles Court Opera) Booking Reference
Arrive Tuesday 6th August – Depart Saturday 10th August Lee Wood- LW406 Old Hall - OH406 Your Opera House programme includes: Patience (Bus Pass Opera), The Gondoliers (National G&S Opera Co), The Mikado (SavoyNet Performing Group) and The Best of G&S (National G&S Opera Co) Seven Night Package Booking Reference Arrive Saturday 27th July – Depart Saturday 3rd August Lee Wood- LW727 Old Hall - OH727 Your Opera House programme includes: The Gondoliers (National G&S Opera Co), The Pirates of Penzance (National G&S Opera Co), The Yeomen of the Guard (Grosvenor Light Opera Co), HMS Pinafore & Trial By Jury (National G&S Opera Co), Iolanthe (Peak Opera) and The Sorcerer (Charles Court Opera) Booking Reference
Lee Wood- LW703 Arrive Saturday 3rd August – Depart Saturday 10th August Old Hall - OH703 Your Opera House programme includes: The Pirates of Penzance (National G&S Opera Co), HMS Pinafore & Trial By Jury (National G&S Opera Co), The Grand Duke (Savoy Company), Patience (Bus Pass Opera), The Gondoliers (National G&S Opera Co), and The Best of G&S (National G&S Opera Co)
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Lee Wood Hotel We are delighted to have secured rooms at the delightful Best Western Lee Wood Hotel. As the only 4-star hotel in Buxton, the Lee Wood is the perfect choice for your stay during the Festival. Situated only a five-minute walk from the Opera House it is the ideal location. Each room comes with a flat-screen TV with Freeview and a Smart TV Box, so you can make yourself at home by logging into your own apps, such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer. Rooms include a telephone, hairdryer, complimentary toiletries and tea and coffee-making facilities. The accommodation packages in this hotel include a full English breakfast and a three-course pre-theatre dinner in the award-winning Lazy Gardener Restaurant. There is limited availability, so please book early to avoid disappointment.
The Old Hall Hotel The historic Old Hall Hotel, just across from the Pavilion Gardens and the Opera House, is reputed to be the oldest hotel in England. Part of the current building was built by Bess of Hardwick’s 4th husband, the Earl of Shrewsbury, for Mary Queen of Scots when she came to take the waters in Buxton in the 16th Century. Renowned for its originality, The Old Hall has over thirty unique bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom, TV and radio, writing desk, hairdryer, telephone and hospitality tray. Car Parking: No private parking, but you can use all of the on-street parking spaces immediately in front of, opposite and down the side of the hotel.
Car Parking: Complimentary car parking is available to the front and rear of the hotel.
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Come, walk up, and purchase with avidity….. The GIANT CASH BONANZA has just got even BIGGER! There are now FOUR brand-new Super Draws throughout the year now totalling a fantastic £30,000 in prize money!
1 x £10,000 drawn at the end of March 1 x £5,000 drawn at the end of June 1 x £10,000 drawn at the end of September 1 x £5,000 drawn at the end of December The next big Super Draw for a guaranteed £5,000 will take place on Friday 29 December 2023. What a fantastic start to the New Year! And that’s not all. There are weekly prizes of 1 prize of £1000, 4 prizes of £25 and 26 prizes of £10 ensuring an annual guaranteed cash prize fund of over £100,000! In addition, members will be entered into the special G&S Festival draws with even more fantastic prizes.
To join and support the future of the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival go online at: www.giancashbonanza.online/gsfestival or scan the QR code. Or, you can call 01484 484130 for mor information.
WWW.GSFESTIVALS.ORG 01422 323 252
Festival news and highlights Friends of the G&S Festival appoint new Trustee We are delighted to announce that Peter Crichton was elected to the Board of Trustees at the AGM on October 12th. Peter has been a huge supporter of the Festival for many years and in case you are one of the few people not to have met him, he is the owner of the double-decker red bus that turned up in Harrogate in 2022 and Buxton in 2023! Welcome Peter; we look forward to working with you! Robert Ray Melbourne, Australia Director of the SavoyNet Performing Group’s production of The Mikado When Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Victoria staged a traditional version of the opera, I took a Japanese friend to see it. At the end, I asked him the inevitable question: what he thought of it. His response was: “Well, it wasn’t very Japanese!”. Exactly what we have always believed. It was written by Englishmen, initially for an English audience with an English cast, and it is really about English politics and society. This Englishness is what I hope to bring out in this new production where we have an international cast who will have great fun impersonating English types. While not setting it in Japan as Gilbert did, this will be utterly faithful to the original words and the music.”
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Our Grand Draw was a GRAND success Charity. Our thanks go to everyone who supported the draw, and congratulations to the winners. The Charity raised a total of £6,956. How fantastic! And the lucky winners are: 1st Prize – River Cruise on The Danube - K Dixon - Ticket No: 06836 2nd Prize – Lee Wood Hotel Package - M Cockrill -Ticket No: 00521 3rd Prize – Afternoon Tea at the Crescent Hotel - R Peterson - Ticket No: 07007 Pair of Tickets
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A Schwaigert (Ticket No: 00021)
S DeLong (Ticket No: 01884)
P Walsh (Ticket No: 01674)
A Pattenden (Ticket No: 00799)
M Brassington (Ticket No: 01067)
D Thomas (Ticket No: 06398 )
S Parry (Ticket No: 01560)
A Jones (Ticket No: 06807)
K Canning (Ticket No: 01805)
R Wood (Ticket No: 06015)
D Taylor (Ticket No: 01199)
M Perry (Ticket No: 00740)
M Zicos (Ticket No: 01445)
J Moore (Ticket No: 03311)
G Foat (Ticket No: 01716)
E McBride (Ticket No: 06862)
A Hackett (Ticket No: 03099)
C Gardner (Ticket No: 01909)
J Morgan (Ticket No: 03078)
P Withey (Ticket No: 06351)
Giant Cash Bonanza - it could be your lucky year! The fantastic Giant Cash Bonanza has got even bigger! If you have not signed up yet, please see page 14 for more information and how to join. This is a fantastic way to raise money for the Friends of the Festival and be in the running for some outstanding cash prizes. There are now four brand-new Super Draws throughout the year totalling a fabulous £30,000 in prize money, along with weekly ensuring an annual guaranteed cash prize fund of over £100,000! See page 14 or go online: www.giantcashbonanza.online/gsfestival Our thanks go to! Gwen Whittle, our Benefactor and a great friend of the Festival, for knitting her amazing G&S dolls to sell in the Festival shop once again. Thank you Gwen! Your dolls are fantastic as always, and we cannot imagine how much work it must take to produce these fabulous creations! The National G&S Opera Company are on the move! We are delighted to announce that the NGSOC will stage their 2024 productions of HMS Pinafore and Trial by Jury, The Gondoliers and The Pirates of Penzance in Malvern Theatre on the 5, 6 and 7 September 2024. We will also be taking principal singers to Salisbury Playhouse for a matinee and evening production of The Best of Gilbert & Sullivan on Thursday 30 May. Accommodation packages with tours and theatre tickets will be announced soon, so keep an eye out for information or email sarah@gsfestivals.org if you would like to register your interest. Chatsworth House - Make some special memories! Did you know there is a theatre in Chatsworth House? Tucked away beyond the gift shop and beneath the Belvedere Tower, few visitors are aware of its existence. We were delighted to be told that we would be allowed to host an evening during the Festival. We are waiting for dates to be confirmed as we go to print, and these should be confirmed very soon. More information can be found on page 13.
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Simon Butteriss Director, The Gondoliers and The Pirates of Penzance National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company My director of music at Cambridge, where I was a choral scholar, was the celebrated composer John Rutter, who found a way to forgive my rather theatrical approach to the liturgical settings of the Tudor composers he loved to programme for chapel services, possibly because not only did he and I share a love of the church music of Charles Villiers but we also shared a love of Stanford’s glittering contemporaries, Gilbert and Sullivan. On one of many occasions when I was late for John’s choir practice because a G&S rehearsal had over-run (did I ever do any academic work?) he asked which opera we were rehearsing. When I said it was The Gondoliers he rather crisply remarked that with that opera, Gilbert and particularly Sullivan had declined into decadence. I suppose the sheer hedonism of much of the piece, the sensuality of the score, the indulgence of long musical movements (not a word is spoken until about 25 minutes into Act 1, for instance and the Cachucha is nothing more nor less than an explosion of joy), might be analyzed as decadence. The very gentle satire perhaps suggests that
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Gilbert had lost his bite - advocating a Republic while the pavements were still warm from Queen Victoria’s Jubilee celebrations may have seemed like dangerous stuff but it was dealt with so lightly that when Victoria commanded a private performance at Windsor Castle, she failed to notice it. Her only mention of the occasion in her diary, apparently, was that Rutland Barrington, who sang Giuseppe, was very fat. Pot calling the kettle black, Your Maj. The Gondoliers, is a joyously sunny confection, set in the loveliest city in the world and then in an idyllic utopia where Republican monarchs are actually delighted to relinquish the complications and contradictions of adapting their principles. The original production of The Gondoliers was a huge box office hit and there were queues round the block when the vocal score was published. Though in Buxton summer can be an unusually wet season, as the Duke might observe, I hope that the Opera House will nevertheless be flooded with dazzling Venetian sunshine.
WWW.GSFESTIVALS.ORG 01422 323 252
Bradley Travis Director, HMS Pinafore National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company My love of music and performing started at primary school. I was always in the school productions, and was picked out by the teachers for being prepared to play roles others wouldn’t. One such role was that of the Fairy Godmother in the panto Cinders – played in full drag, complete with my Nana’s blouse! I wasn’t fazed, and it left me wanting to do more. Going through high school, I never expected to end up as an opera singer, but continued to take part in the school musicals and plays. It wasn’t until my A-Level Music teacher suggested that my voice may be showing operatic potential that the thought of going to music college even came up. I applied to the Royal Northern College of Music and the rest, they say, is history. My love of Gilbert & Sullivan was ignited when I was in the chorus of HMS Pinafore in an open air production at Gawsworth Hall directed by soprano (and ex-G&S stalwart) Sandra Dugdale. It goes without saying that I loved performing in the show and had my eyes open to the glory of Sullivan’s music and the deeply clever and comic text
of Gilbert. While still at the RNCM I also performed with the NGSOC for the first time, performing in the chorus of Ruddigore and The Yeomen of the Guard. As I continued my studies in London at the Royal College of Music, I started to realise that my niche was in comic opera, and in particular, G&S. After leaving college, I performed Bunthorne in English Touring Opera’s production of Patience and returned to the NGSOC to perform Strephon and Robin Oakapple. I consider those three G&S productions to be my happiest times as a performer, and those experiences have directly impacted my style as a director. When it comes to directing HMS Pinafore, I firmly believe in trusting the material – trusting without doubt Gilbert and Sullivan’s masterful control of the mix of music and drama. I intend for the show to be high energy, fast paced and joyous, with singers giving truthful and nuanced performances. I am so looking forward to singing Captain Corcoran for the first time – is there a more beautiful aria than ‘Fair moon to thee I sing’? – and I hope to see you all there.
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Bruce Graham Director, Trial by Jury, National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company It was with the greatest pleasure that I accepted the offer to direct Trial by Jury for the National G&S Opera Company. Trial is a miniature gem, and for nearly as long as I can remember, it has become overlooked because the eye is always on the ‘bottom line, and the emphasis is on producing fulllength shows. This is an enormous pity because the show has so much to offer. The first G&S show to be produced by Richard D’Oyly Carte, Trial is witty and tuneful throughout, and in it we can see the future Gilbert and Sullivan
style beginning to take shape. We find Topsy-Turveydom in its embryonic form: the star-crossed lovers (who in this case, don’t get together at the final curtain), Sullivan’s magical melodic gift, Gilbert’s love of the autobiographical patter song, adept operatic parody, tilts at the establishment, and (perhaps a little less welcome) Gilbert’s love of punning.
The Perfect Christmas Gift! Three brand-new china mugs exclusively designed for Musical Collectables! Choose from The Pirate King, Ko-Ko or Jack Point or why not treat a loved one (or yourself!) to all three.
Each mug costs for £12.50 or buy three for £32.50. And we’ll even wrap them for you for free too! 26
The National Festival Orchestra
The National Festival Orchestra accompanies all the performances in Buxton Opera House and has played at every festival since the first in 1994. Orchestra leader Sally Robinson is proud of its achievements and the outstanding reviews they have received. Based in the north of England, NFO has built up a reputation for compelling performances across various genres– from symphonic and operatic repertoire to the world of West End and Broadway shows. Singing from the Gallery You can experience the Festival’s special feature “Singing from the Gallery” every Saturday evening before the show. The audience is the chorus, led by the Festival’s music director. Now is your chance if you enjoy a jolly good singalong. But don’t worry if you don’t know the words or don’t want to sing – just soak up the unique atmosphere. It’s what they used to do before every Gilbert & Sullivan performance more than a hundred years ago.
“….the playing, by the festival’s own National Festival Orchestra, was unimpeachable” DAILY MAIL “The quality of musicianship from this mediumsized orchestra is outstanding.” SEEN AND HEARD INTERNATIONAL
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Murray Hipkin Musical Director - National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company Murray Hipkin studied at the University of York, GSMD and the National Opera Studio before joining the music staff of English National Opera for five seasons. After a period working for Opéra de Lyon, La Monnaie, Opera Factory, Scottish Opera and, as musical director, for Opera Brava, he returned to ENO in 1995, where he has played and assisted on numerous productions including, most recently, The Handmaid’s Tale, The Yeomen of the Guard, Gloriana, The Rhinegold, Akhnaten, The Dead City , Blue, Iolanthe and 7 Deaths of Maria Callas. For ENO he has conducted The Pirates of Penzance, The Mikado, The Gondoliers, Kismet, Carousel, Chess and Man of la Mancha, and he was assistant conductor and chorus master on Sweeney Todd and Sunset Boulevard. Other conducting includes La bohème (Surrey Opera, Opera Box), Salieri Falstaff, Haydn La vera costanza, Mozart Apollo and Hyacinth and Gluck Le cinesi (Bampton Classical Opera), and, while on sabbatical from ENO, over 170 performances of The Sound of Music at the London Palladium. His work with composer John Adams includes
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conducting on location for the Channel 4 film The Death of Klinghoffer and assisting on Nixon in China at the BBC Proms and the Berlin Philharmonie. He has been musical director of the North London Chorus since January 2003, and of the Pink Singers, Europe’s longestrunning LGBT choir, from November 2010 until October 2023. In 2022 he appeared as music supervisor and coach in the Sky Arts/ENO/Factory Films reality series Anyone Can Sing. Last year he conducted The Pirates of Penzance, The Mikado and The Yeomen of the Guard for NGSOC in Buxton and Malvern and in spring 2024, prior to his return to Buxton to conduct The Pirates of Penzance and The Gondoliers, he will be in Berlin working on Nixon in China for the Deutsche Oper. Murray Hipkin is a member of English National Opera and appears by permission.
1. 2. 3. 4.
01422 323 252
Priority Booking Forms
www.gsfestivals.org
YOUR PULL-OUT BOOKING FORMS – FOR POSTAL ORDERS Pull-out this section Select the shows you want to see If you have specific seat choices, please indicate on the form or include a note with your order If you are not a member of the Friends of the G&S Festival charity and would like to be in the priority draw, you can join on the enclosed membership form and post with your order.
Please return your form to: G&S Festivals Ltd – Priority Draw The Old Vicarage All Souls Road Halifax HX3 6DR Or scan and email to sarah@gsfestivals.org Please do not hesitate to call 01422 323252 (Monday – Friday, 9.30 am to 4.30 pm) if you have any questions.
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BOOKING FORM Note: Bookings can also be made online at www.gsfestivals.org Please select your packages below. The Palace Hotel may be booked for arrival/ departure (minimum stay 3 nights) from 27 July through to and including the night of 10 August. NAME ADDRESS POSTCODE TEL EMAIL I would like to book a TWIN ROOM at the PALACE HOTEL
DOUBLE ROOM
OLD HALL HOTEL
SINGLE ROOM LEE WOOD HOTEL
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4 NIGHT
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7 NIGHT
Departure Date
BOOKING REFERENCE NUMBER – LEE WOOD HOTEL BOOKING REFERENCE NUMBER – OLD HALL HOTEL Please indicate any special requirements I enclose a non-refundable deposit of £100 per person. Please make cheques payable to Theatrical Adventures Ltd or we will send an invoice for your deposit payment. Your room will be confirmed along with booking conditions within 7 days of receipt of your booking form. Cheque enclosed for £
Please invoice/call me
for my deposit payment Signature Date Please return to: Theatrical Adventures Ltd, The Old Vicarage, All Souls Road, Halifax HX3 6DR More information: sarah@theatricaladventures.com Tel: 01422 323252
2.30 pm
1.00 pm
10.30 am
2.30 pm
1.00 pm
10.30 am
1.00 pm
10.30 am
Intro to HMS Pinafore & Trial by Jury
The Three Amigos
Classical Pops
Painful Though the Duty Be
Flanders and Swann
Classical Pops
The Tiny World of Toy Theatres
Classical Pops
Stephen Turnbull
B Bottone, D Maxwell, R Suart
C Milton and F Butler Gallie
Donald Maxwell & Chris Milton
Introduction to The Pirates of Penzance Stephen Turnbull
St John's Church
St John's Church
St John's Church
St John's Church
St John's Church
St John's Church
St John's Church
St John's Church
St John's Church
St John's Church
£10.00
£8.50
£25.00
£10.00
£8.50
£16.50
£10.00
£8.50
£10.00
£8.50
PRICE
10.30 am
Classical Pops
Ian Bradley
York University
St John's Church
£8.50
Pavilion Arts Centre £16.50
Pavilion Arts Centre £16.50
£10.00 Birmingham University
St John's Church
Elaine Richardson
Trevor Griffin
1.00 pm
£16.50
2.30 pm
Herbert Sullivan and Sir Arthur
St John's Church
10.30 am
Classical Pops
Edinburgh G&S Entertains
1.00 pm
Princess Ida
£8.50
2.30 pm
Taking the Waters Again
St John's Church
10.30 am
Classical Pops
£10.00
1.00 pm
Ruddigore
St John's Church
BUXTON DAYTIME EVENTS TICKET ORDER FORM Sunday 28 July
Monday 29 July
Tuesday 30 July
Wednesday 31 July
Thursday 1 August
Friday 2 August
2.30 pm
NUMBER OF TICKETS
TOTAL
M
HMS Pinafore & Trial by Jury
HMS Pinafore & Trial by Jury
2.30 pm
7.30 pm
Wednesday 31 July
The Gondoliers
The Gondoliers
2.30 pm
7.30 pm
Wednesday 7 August
HMS Pinafore & Trial by Jury
The Gondoliers
7.30 pm
New - Best of G&S
2.30 pm
7.30 pm
Saturday 10 August
The Pirates of Penzance
2.30 pm
Friday 9 August
The Mikado
7.30 pm
Thursday 8 August
Patience
7.30 pm
The Grand Duke
7.30 pm
HMS Pinafore & Trial by Jury
7.30 pm
Tuesday 6 August
The Pirates of Penzance
2.30 pm
The Pirates of Penzance
7.30 pm
Monday 5 August
Sunday 4 August
New The Best of G&S
2.30 pm
The Sorcerer
7.30 pm
Saturday 3 August
The Sorcerer
2.30 pm
Friday 2 August
Iolanthe
7.30 pm
Thursday 1 August
The Gondoliers
7.30 pm
Tuesday 30 July
The Yeomen of the Guard
The Pirates of Penzance
7.30 pm
7.30 pm
The Pirates of Penzance
2.30 pm
Monday 29 July
Sunday 28 July
The Gondoliers
7.30 pm
National G&S Opera Company
National G&S Opera Company
National G&S Opera Company
National G&S Opera Company
The SavoyNet Performing Group
National G&S Opera Company
National G&S Opera Company
Bus Pass Opera
Savoy Company
National G&S Opera Company
National G&S Opera Company
National G&S Opera Company
National G&S Opera Company
Charles Court Opera
Charles Court Opera
Peak Opera
National G&S Opera Company
National G&S Opera Company
Edinburgh G&S Society
Grosvenor Light Opera Company
National G&S Opera Company
National G&S Opera Company
National G&S Opera Company
E
M
E
M
E
E
M
E
E
E
M
E
M
E
M
E
E
M
E
E
E
M
E
£29.00
National G&S Opera Company
£31.00
The Gondoliers
2.30 pm
Amateur Productions
Saturday 27 July
£37.00
Mid stalls D-N Upper Circle cntr
£41.00
Dress Circle
Professsional Productions
BUXTON OPERA HOUSE ORDER FORM TICKET ORDER £27.00
£34.00
Front Stalls Row A-C
£22.00
£29.00
Back Stalls Rows O-Q & Gallery TOTALS
TICKETS WILL GO ON GENERAL SALE FEBRUARY 1 2024
Valid on bookings recieved in Halifax before 22 January 2024
Expiry Date
Card Number
Please debit my:
Credit/Debit Card Payment
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Security Number
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.................................................................................................................................... FESTIVAL FRIENDS ONE FREE TICKET FOR POST CODE................................................................................................................ EVERY £50 SPENT ON TELEPHONE............................................................................................................... THIS FORM EMAIL..........................................................................................................................
FESTIVAL CLUB NAME......................................................................................................................... TICKETS - £3 LIFE MEMBERS, ADDRESS................................................................................................................... FESTIVAL PARTNERS AND BENEFACTORS ...................................................................................................................................... FREE PASS
ORDERED BY
Single Member - £1.00 off per show Joint/ Family members - 2 x £1 off per show YOUR MEMBERSHIP NUMBER __________________________________
G&S Member discounts on all tickets for Buxton Opera House
Concessions for Buxton Opera House - Senior Citizens (60+), £2 off front and rear stall seats (rows A-C and O-Q) Children under 16 – 50% discount on all seats.
01422 323 252 SARAH@GSFESTIVALS.ORG WWW.GSFESTIVALS.ORG
RETURN YOUR FORM TO: G&S Festivals Ltd – Priority Draw The Old Vicarage, All Souls Road Halifax, HX3 6DR
AMOUNT £_________________
CHEQUE ENCLOSED (PAYABLE TO G&S FESTIVALS LTD
GRAND TOTAL
PAC & OTHER EVENTS
BUXTON OPERA HOUSE
TOTAL VALUE OF TICKETS
OPERA HOUSE TOTAL
LESS MEMBER DISCOUNTS
LESS CONCESSIONS
OPERA HOUSE TICKETS
Saturday 3 August Sunday 4 August Monday 5 August
Tuesday 6 August
Wednesday 7 August Thursday 8 August
Friday 9 August
Saturday 10 August
1.00 pm
10.30 am Festival Luncheon
Classical Pops
A Matter of Life and Death
St John's Church
Lee Wood Hotel
St John's Church
St John's Church
£8.50
£10.00
£60.00
£10.00
£8.50
Ian Bradley
12.30 pm Classical Pops
St John's Church
£10.00
10.30 am
1.00 pm Herbert Sullivan and The Gilberts
Elaine Richardson
St John's Church
Classical Pops
Pavilion Arts Centre £16.50
1.00 pm
Harrogate G&S Society
The Pirates of Penzance
£8.50
2.30 pm
St John's Church
The History of the Trumpet
Anthony Thompson
10.30 am
£10.00
Classical Pops
St John's Church
1.00 pm
£16.50
Mr Jericho
St John's Church
2.30 pm
Introduction to The Gondoliers
David Wilmore
The Lyra Players
10.30 am Classical Pops
Pavilion Arts Centre £16.50
£8.50
1.00 pm
Staging Ivanhoe
£8.50
St John's Church
10.30 am
Classical Pops Oxford University
St John's Church
Stephen Turnbull
1.00 pm
Princess Ida
Adriane Berg
£10.00
£10.00
2.30 pm
Travelling with G&S
St John's Church
£8.50
St John's Church
10.30 am
Classical Pops
St John's Church
£10.00
£8.50
1.00 pm
In Conversation with Murray Hipkin
St John's Church
St John's Church
10.30 am
Classical Pops Festival Youth Production
Pavilion Arts Centre £16.50
£10.00
1.00 pm
The Sorcerer
St John's Church
2.30 pm
Order Form Musical Collectables The Old Vicarage, All Souls Road, Halifax, HX3 6DR Tel: 01422 323252 Email: oliver@gsfestivals.org
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Sub Total Gift Wrap
FREE
P&P
£3.00 £4.00
(if applicable)
TOTAL
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Single
£35.00
Single
£350.00
Joint
£50.00
Joint
£500.00
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£75.00
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International G&S Association The Old Vicarage, All Souls Road, Halifax, HX3 6DR Tel: 01422 323252 Email: sarah@gsfestivals.org
WWW.GSFESTIVALS.ORG 01422 323 252
Bring a group to the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival The Festival offers groups of ten people or more, great afternoon or evening entertainment, along with some fantastic discounts and the best seats in the house. Most of our groups love to come along to our outstanding matinee or evening productions of the most-loved G&S operas performed by the professional National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company or Charles Court Opera. This year you can choose from The Pirates of Penzance, The Gondoliers, HMS Pinafore and Trial by Jury and The Sorcerer (Charles Court Opera). In addition, there are many other shows to see, from Bus Pass Opera’s production of Patience (all the performers are over 60) to SavoyNet Performing Group’s production of The Mikado with cast members from around the world. Tickets for the professional National Gilbert & Sullivan productions are from £29-£41 (before group discounts are applied), and for the competing shows, ticket costs are from £22 to £31 before discounts. See the daily programme on pages 4 and 5. We can hold seats until an agreed date without any deposit or cancellation penalties and if your group would like a private pre-theatre talk about the show, this can be arranged.
Group Discounts Book 10-29 seats and enjoy a 10% discount or 30+ seats for a 15% discount. For more information or to block seats, please email: sarah@gsfestivals. org or call 01422 323252.
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ORCHESTRA
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8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6
10
33 32 31 30 29 33 32 31 30 29 33 32 31 30 29
BOX F
A B C D
28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 14 13 12 11 10 9 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 28 27 26 25 24 23 11 10 9 GALLERY 27 26 25 24 23 11 10 9 28 27 26 25
UPPER CIRCLE
8 8 8 8 8
7 7 7 7 7
6
6 6 6
A 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 A 13 12 11 10 9 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 B 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 B 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 12 11 10 9 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 C 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 12 11 10 9 C BOX C 9 11 10 9 3 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 D 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 D 8 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 10 9 E 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 E UP 8 7 7 6 PE 6 5 F 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 F 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 10 9 R G 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 G 29 28 27 26 25 S S 9 CI 5 4 RC 4 3 STAFF STAFF DRESS CIRCLE LE 3 2 SI 2 1 C DE 1 C 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 S DD 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 A 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 B 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 C 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 D 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5
BOX D
26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 A 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 W 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 B 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 C 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 D 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 E 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 F 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 G 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 H 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 J 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 K 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 L 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 M 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 N 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 O 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 P 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 30 W W 25 24 23 21 20 19 18 17 Q 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 WHEELCHAIRS STALLS
STAGE
7 7 7 7 7 7 7
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
6 6 6 6 6 6 6
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
5 5 5 5 5 5 5
8
4 4 4 4 3 4 3 2 4 3
2 1 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
7
7
6
6
5
A B C D
BOX E 5 4 3 2 1 5 4 3 2 1 5 4 3 2 1
4
3
LE RC I C 5
4
SI
S DE
£29/£22
Gallery
1
£35/£27
Upper Circle
2
£20/£18
Upper Circle Sides
3
£39/£29
Dress Circle
£29/£22
£35/£27 60+ Concessions, £2
Mid Stalls
£32 /£25
60+ Concessions, £2
Back Stalls
9 8 ER 10 9 4 PP AA B 10 U 4 3 B 4 3 2 1 4 3 2
8 8 8 8 8 8 8
5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
Front Stalls
Buxton Opera House Seating Plan
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Saturday 27 July
2.30 pm and 7.30 pm The Gondoliers National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company Buxton Opera House The 30th International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival opens with our all-time favourite production of The Gondoliers performed by the professional National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company. Directed by and starring Simon Butteriss, The Gondoliers is one of Sullivan’s sunniest scores and makes for irresistible, joyous entertainment. Book your seats early for this season's must-see show. The Gondoliers is a love story and a tale of mistaken identity. Marco and Guiseppe have just married but are informed that one of them is the heir to the throne of the fictional kingdom of Barataria. But which one? To complicate matters the heir was married when an infant to Casilda, who has come to Venice to claim her husband. Enjoy wonderful melodies and our favourite dance, The Cachucha. Singing from the Gallery Every Saturday evening there will be ‘Singing from the Gallery’ in the Opera House. Be in your seats by 7.10 pm to join in and soak up the very special atmosphere of the G&S Festival.
10.00 pm to midnight Festival Club, Pavilion Gardens £3 Join us next door to the Opera House for late-night entertainment, bar and supper.
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WWW.GSFESTIVALS.ORG 01422 323 252
Sunday 28 July 10.30 am Introduction to The Pirates of Penzance, Stephen Turnbull St John’s Church Tickets £8.50 Stephen Turnbull, Secretary of the Sir Arthur Sullivan Society, introduces The Pirates of Penzance. Perfect timing for today’s performances. 1.00 pm Classical Pops St John’s Church Tickets £10
Relax and let our fabulous singers entertain you. (approximately 40 mins).
2.30 pm and 7.30 pm The Pirates of Penzance National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company Buxton Opera House Enjoy all-time favourite The Pirates of Penzance, directed by and starring Simon Butteriss. This hilarious production is great for all the family, with larger-than-life characters and a plot simply brimming with laughter and well-known tunes. Follow the adventures of Frederic, a pirate’s apprentice, in love with the daughter of Major General. Frederic finds himself torn between his sense of duty and his love for Mabel. Can he find a way to live happily ever after? Join the swashbuckling pirates and bumbling British bobbies for a hilarious production.
10.00 pm to midnight Festival Club, Pavilion Gardens £3 Join us next door to the Opera House for late-night entertainment, bar and supper.
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Monday 29 July 10.30 am The Tiny World of Toy Theatre - Trevor Griffin St John’s Church - Tickets £8.50 Trevor Griffin helped set up the ‘Tiny World of Toy Theatres’ display at Pickford's House in Derby, the largest permanent exhibition of Toy Theatres in the UK. He will explain how Toy Theatre originated and developed, and his talk will feature the one time when a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta appeared in its repertoire. 1.00 pm Classical Pops St John’s Church - Tickets £10 Relax and let our fabulous singers entertain you. (approximately 40 mins). 2.30 pm Flanders and Swann with Donald Maxwell and Christopher Milton St John’s Church Tickets £16.50 Enjoy music, mirth and merriment as Donald Maxwell and Chris Milton entertain this afternoon. Michael Flanders and Donald Swann were huge stars in the 1950s and 1960s with their hilarious songs including Mud, Mud Glorious Mud (The Hippopotamus Song), The Gnu Song and The Gasman Cometh. 7.30 pm The Yeomen of the Guard Grosvenor Light Opera Company Buxton Opera House GLOC is one of London’s leading G&S Societies and one of the only amateur operatic societies to rehearse and perform in central London. The forbidding Tower of London is the setting for the much-loved The Yeomen of the Guard. Two strolling players arrive in town, but little do they know that love, heartbreak, and tragedy await. The songs are a delight, and many consider the score to be Sullivan’s finest. Don’t miss it! 10.00 10.00 pm pmto tomidnight midnightFestival Club, Pavilion Gardens £3 Join us next door to the Opera House Festival Club - Pavilion Gardens £3for late-night entertainment, bar and supper.
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Tuesday 30 July 10.30 am ‘Painful though the Duty Be’ St John’s Church - Tickets £8.50 Chris Milton and Fergus Butler Gallie fulfil their contractual obligations. Always great fun. Don’t miss it. 1.00 pm Classical Pops St John’s Church - Tickets £10 Relax and let our fabulous singers entertain you. (approximately 40 mins). 2.30 pm The Three Amigos! - Bonaventura Bottone, Donald Maxwell, Richard Suart St John’s Church - Tickets £25 What an extraordinary, fantastic afternoon we have in store! Come and be entertained by our three international opera stars - Bonaventura Bottone, Donald Maxwell and Richard Suart. Meet three of the UK’s finest opera singers as they come together for an afternoon of music and laughter and look back on their performances in some of the most magnificent opera houses around the world. 7.30 pm The Gondoliers Edinburgh Gilbert & Sullivan Society Buxton Opera House Edinburgh G&S Society will celebrate its centenary in 2024, and we are delighted that members will bring their brand-new production of The Gondoliers to Buxton as part of the festivities. Come along and ‘Dance a Cachucha’ with this much-loved society.
10.00 pm to midnight Festival Club, Pavilion Gardens £3 Join us next door to the Opera House for late-night entertainment, bar and supper.
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Wednesday 31 July 10.30 am Introduction to HMS Pinafore and Trial by Jury St John’s Church - Tickets £ £8.50 Stephen Turnbull, Secretary of the Sir Arthur Sullivan Society, introduces HMS Pinafore and Trial by Jury in readiness for today’s national G&S performances in the Opera House. 1.00 pm Classical Pops St John’s Church - Tickets £10 Relax and let our fabulous singers entertain you. (approximately 40 mins). 2.30 pm Edinburgh G&S Society Entertains St John’s Church - Tickets £15 Members of Edinburgh G&S Society are back with an afternoon of G&S delights.
2.30 pm and 7.30 pm HMS Pinafore and Trial by Jury - National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company Buxton Opera House Two brand-new productions for the price of one! The NGSOC set sails on the HMS Pinafore in a hilarious brand-new production. Pompous Sir Joseph Porter arrives with plans to marry Josephine, the Captain’s daughter. But she has other plans and is soon plotting to elop with lowly sailor Ralph Rackstraw. Directed by and starring Bradley Travis. Trial by Jury is a one-act operetta about glamorous Angelina, jilted by her dastardly fiancée Edwin. Angelina sues him for breach of promise of marriage. The learned judge and all the jury members fall for her charms so will there be a happy ending? Directed by Bruce Graham. 10.00 pm to midnight Festival Club, Pavilion Gardens £3 Join us next door to the Opera House for late-night entertainment, bar and supper.
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Thursday 1 August 10.30 am Herbert Sullivan and Sir Arthur Elaine Richardson, President of the Sir Arthur Sullivan Society St John’s Church Tickets £8.50 During 2023, Elaine Richardson published a book about Sir Arthur's nephew and heir, Herbert Sullivan. This talk covers the period 1868-1900 and Elaine provides a fascinating insight into their close relationship, including some previously unknown facts about Sir Arthur himself. 1.00 pm Classical Pops St John’s Church Tickets £10 Relax and let our fabulous singers entertain you. (approximately 40 mins). 2.30 pm Princess Ida York University Pavilion Arts Centre Tickets £15 Our first UNIFest production this year. Princess Ida is the only Savoy opera to have three acts. Two royal babies were married at birth and twenty years later, Prince Hilarion is anxious to be reunited with his bride. Unfortunately, feisty feminist Princess Ida is running a women’s university, and a comic battle of the sexes ensues with hilarious results. 7.30 pm Iolanthe Peak Opera Buxton Opera House Iolanthe is a fairy who has been banished from fairyland for marrying a mortal. Her son, Strephon, falls in love with Phyllis, a ward of the Chancery. Hilarity ensues as the Queen of the Fairies and members of the House of Lords become entangled in the love affairs. Iolanthe remains a timeless classic, celebrated for its delightful music and clever social commentary. 10.00 pm to midnight Festival Club, Pavilion Gardens £3 Join us next door to the Opera House for late-night entertainment, bar and supper.
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Friday 2 August 10.30 am Taking the Waters Again - Ian Bradley St John’s Church Tickets £8.50 Ian Bradley dives into the fascinating watery world of spa cures, past and present, exploring the hidden history of spas and his own experiences of treatments with particular reference to Buxton, where it is once again possible to bathe in the natural thermal waters. Is the recent redevelopment of the Crescent paving the way for the revival of Britain's spa towns? 1.00 pm Classical Pops St John’s Church - Tickets £10 Relax and let our fabulous singers entertain you. (approximately 40 mins). 2.30 pm Ruddigore - Birmingham University Pavilion Arts Centre Don’t miss the ghostly goings-on with Birmingham University’s production of Ruddigore. The plot centres around the cursed Baronets of Ruddigore, who must commit a daily crime or suffer a fatal consequence. Don’t miss it!
FROM CCO RUDDIGORE
2.30 pm and 7.30 pm The Sorcerer - Charles Court Opera. Buxton Opera House Festival favourite Charles Court Opera has been described as one of the leading and most versatile chamber opera and music theatre companies in the UK. The Sorcerer is a humorous exploration of love and social class and the plot revolves around John Wellington Wells, a sorcerer who concocts a love potion, causing everyone in the village to fall in love with the first person they see, resulting in hilarious mismatches. CCO will only perform at the Festival today, so make sure you book your seats early!
10.00 pm to midnight Festival Club, Pavilion Gardens £3 Join us next door to the Opera House for late-night entertainment, bar and supper.
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Saturday 3 August 10 am – 4 pm Memorabilia Fair Octagon Foyer (free entry) This is a great place to meet collectors and browse all things G&S, from books, scores, china, old recordings and much more. To exhibit please email sarah@gsfestivals.org 10.30 am Ian Bradley - A Matter of Life and Death St John’s Church - Tickets £8.50 Based on his new and original research for a forthcoming book, lan Bradley reveals the contrasting personalities and beliefs of Gilbert and Sullivan and explores how Sullivan's vivacious and sunny disposition and love of life ultimately triumphed over Gilbert's cynicism and rather macabre obsession with death. 1.00 pm Classical Pops - St John’s Church Tickets £10 Relax and let our fabulous singers entertain you. (approximately 40 mins). 2.30 pm NEW – The Best of Gilbert & Sullivan Principals from the NGSOC Buxton Opera House This fabulous concert was a sell-out last year. Celebrated comic baritone Simon Butteriss has devised a new programme of the best songs from the operas accompanied by the National Festival Orchestra. Enjoy a whirlwind tour of the immortal Savoy Operas, set in context by fascinating, historical, gossipy anecdotes that will effortlessly transport you back to the glitter and glamour of the 19th-century Savoy Theatre. Highly recommended! 7.30 pm The Pirates of Penzance - National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company Buxton Opera House Come and join our star-studded cast for a hilarious afternoon’s entertainment. The Pirates of Penzance takes us to the Cornish coast where we meet our dashing Pirate King, the Major General and his troupe of jolly daughters and a band of bungling British bobbies. Madcap schemes and absurd adventures abound! 10.00 pm to midnight Festival Club, Pavilion Gardens £3 Join us next door to the Opera House for late-night entertainment, bar and supper.
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Sunday 4 August 11.00 am Festival Church Service St John’s Church 12.30 pm Festival Luncheon Lee Wood Hotel - Tickets £60 Join us for a fabulous luncheon in our favourite venue. And we will bring some fantastic entertainment along too. There will be time to get to the theatre for the matinee performance. 2.30 pm The Pirates of Penzance - National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company Buxton Opera House Come and join our star-studded cast for a hilarious afternoon’s entertainment. The Pirates of Penzance takes us to the Cornish coast where we meet our dashing Pirate King, the Major General and his troupe of jolly daughters and a band of bungling British bobbies. Madcap schemes and absurd adventures abound! 7.30 pm HMS Pinafore and Trial by Jury - National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company Buxton Opera House Two delightful shows to see this evening. The NGSOC set sails on the HMS Pinafore in a hilarious brand-new production. Pompous Sir Joseph Porter arrives with plans to marry Josephine, the Captain’s daughter. But she has other plans and is soon plotting to elop with lowly sailor Ralph Rackstraw. Directed by and starring Bradley Travis. Trial by Jury is a one-act operetta about glamorous Angelina, jilted by her dastardly fiancée Edwin. Angelina sues him for breach of promise of marriage. The learned judge and all the jury members fall for her charms so will there be a happy ending? Directed by Bruce Graham.
10.00 pm to midnight Festival Club, Pavilion Gardens £3 Join us next door to the Opera House for late-night entertainment, bar and supper.
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Monday 5 August 10.30 am Herbert Sullivan and the Gilberts Elaine Richardson St John’s Church - Tickets £8.50 In part 2 of her talk on Sir Arthur's nephew and heir, Herbert Sullivan, Elaine Richardson explores Herbert's surprising relationship with his uncle's theatrical partner, W. S. Gilbert and his wife, Lady Gilbert. 1.00 pm Classical Pops St John’s Church - Tickets £10 Relax and let our fabulous singers entertain you. (approximately 40 mins). 2.30 pm The Pirates of Penzance - Harrogate G&S Society Pavilion Arts Centre - Tickets £15 We are delighted to welcome Harrogate G&S Society back to Buxton with the new production of all-time favourite, The Pirates of Penzance. You are in for a treat this afternoon! 7.30 pm The Grand Duke - Savoy Company, USA Buxton Opera House Savoy Company travelled all the way from Philadelphia for our very first Festival in 1994, so it is only fitting that they join us for our thirtieth celebrations. The Grand Duke, the final collaboration between Gilbert and Sullivan, is set in the fictional German state of Pfennig Halbpfennig. Here is a unique opportunity to see this rarely performed gem. Don’t miss it!
10.00 10.00 pmpm to to midnight midnightFestival Festival Club, Club, Pavilion Pavilion Gardens Gardens £3£3 Join Join usus next next door door toto the the Opera Opera House House forfor late-night late-night entertainment, entertainment, barbar and and supper. supper.
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Tuesday 6 August 10.30 am The History of the Trumpet - Anthony Thomson St John’s Church - Tickets £8.50 Join National Festival Orchestra member Anthony Thompson for a fascinating talk about the trumpet. 1.00 pm Classical Pops St John’s Church - Tickets £10 Relax and let our fabulous singers entertain you. (approximately 40 mins). 2.30 pm Mr Jericho - The Lyra Players St John’s Church Tickets £15 This is a rare opportunity to see the Savoy curtain-raiser Mr Jericho, written by Harry Greenbank with music by Sullivan protégé Ernest Ford. First produced as a companion piece to Haddon Hall in 1893, this work for five singers is one of very few original curtain raisers whose score and libretti are still available, making it a fascinating glimpse into a theatrical format all but forgotten today. The impoverished Earl of Margate and his son live in disguise, with the latter working as an omnibus driver, until an ‘accident with the ‘bus’ leads to a series of chance meetings that could change their fortunes forever.
7.30 pm Patience - Bus Pass Opera Buxton Opera House Enjoy this year’s production of Patience and be sure to book early! This lively and humorous take on the 1880s esthetic movement features two contrasting poets: the 'Fleshly Poet' Bunthorne and the 'Idyllic Poet' Grosvenor. Both vie for the love of Patience, a charming milkmaid. Languid poets, drooping, sighing maidens and manly dragoons make for hilarious entertainment. Don’t miss it! 10.00 pm to midnight Festival Club, Pavilion Gardens £3 Join us next door to the Opera House for late-night entertainment, bar and supper.
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Wednesday 7 August 10.30 am Introduction to The Gondoliers - Stephen Turnbull St John’s Church - Tickets £8.50 We travel to Italy today as Stephen Turnbull tells us everything we need to know about The Gondoliers in time for the performances later today. 1.00 pm Classical Pops St John’s Church - Tickets £10 Relax and let our fabulous singers entertain you. (approximately 40 mins).
2.30 pm and 7.30 pm The Gondoliers - National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company Buxton Opera House A fantastic opportunity to see our must-see show of the season once again. Directed by and starring Simon Butteriss, The Gondoliers is one of Sullivan’s sunniest scores and makes for irresistible, joyous entertainment. The Gondoliers is a love story and a tale of mistaken identity. Marco and Guiseppe have just married but are informed that one of them is the heir to the throne of the fictional kingdom of Barataria. But which one? To complicate matters the heir was married when an infant to Casilda, who has come to Venice to claim her husband. Enjoy wonderful melodies and our favourite dance, The Cachucha. 10.00 10.00 pmpm to to midnight midnightFestival Festival Club, Club, Pavilion Pavilion Gardens Gardens £3£3 Join Join usus next next door door toto the the Opera Opera House House forfor late-night late-night entertainment, entertainment, barbar and and supper. supper.
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Thursday 8 August 10.30 am Staging Ivanhoe - David Wilmore St John’s Church - Tickets £8.50 An illustrated look at the original staging of Sullivan’s grand opera Ivanhoe which ran for 155 consecutive performances (a record for any Opera) and which opened The Royal English Opera House (now The Palace Theatre) in 1891 1.00 pm Classical Pops St John’s Church - Tickets £10 Relax and let our fabulous singers entertain you. (approximately 40 mins). 2.30 pm Princess Ida - Oxford University Pavilion Arts Centre - Tickets £15 We are delighted to welcome Oxford University to UNIFest with their production of Princess Ida. Two royal babies were married at birth and twenty years later, Prince Hilarion is anxious to be reunited with his bride. Unfortunately, feisty feminist Princess Ida is running a women’s university, and a comic battle of the sexes ensues with hilarious results. 7.30 pm The Mikado - SavoyNet Performing Group Buxton Opera House Don’t miss this all-time favourite from one of our most popular performing groups. This production will not be set in Japan, but will be utterly faithful to the original words and the music. See what director Robert Ray says about his production on page …. This will be an outstanding show and a certainly one not to miss!
10.00 pm to midnight Festival Club, Pavilion Gardens £3 Join us next door to the Opera House for late-night entertainment, bar and supper.
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Friday 9 August 10.30 am Travelling with Gilbert & Sullivan - Adriane Berg St John’s Church - Tickets £8.50 In this presentation, we travel with Gilbert and Sullivan, starting with Gilbert's early childhood travels in Italy and France. Let’s pack a bag and visit the suprising places where their plays were most welcome and revered. 1.00 pm Classical Pops St John’s Church - Tickets £10 Relax and let our fabulous singers entertain you. (approximately 40 mins). 2.30 pm The Pirates of Penzance - National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company Buxton Opera House Our final performance of The Pirates of Penzance in Buxton this year. Enjoy a funfilled afternoon of glorious entertainment with the National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company. 5.00 pm Awards Ceremony 30th International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival Pavilion Arts Centre Come along and see who won what! And who will be the Festival Champions in 2024? 7.30 pm NEW – The Best of Gilbert & Sullivan Principals of theNGSOC Buxton Opera House This fabulous concert was a sell-out last year. Celebrated comic baritone Simon Butteriss has devised a new programme of the best songs from the operas accompanied by the National Festival Orchestra. Enjoy a whirlwind tour of the immortal Savoy Operas, set in context by fascinating, historical, gossipy anecdotes that will effortlessly transport you back to the glitter and glamour of the 19th-century Savoy Theatre. Highly recommended!
10.00 10.00 pmpm to to midnight midnightFestival Festival Club, Club, Pavilion Pavilion Gardens Gardens £3£3 Join Join usus next next door door toto the the Opera Opera House House forfor late-night late-night entertainment, entertainment, barbar and and supper. supper.
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Saturday 10 August 10.30 am In Conversation with Murray Hipkin St John’s Church - Tickets £8.50 Murray Hipkin conducts the National Festival Orchestra for the second time this year. Come and hear about his fascinating career in the world of music. 1.00 pm Classical Pops St John’s Church - Tickets £10 Relax and let our fabulous singers entertain you. (approximately 40 mins). 2.30 pm The Sorcerer - Youth Production Pavilion Arts Centre Our Youth Production is always one of our most popular shows and we love it! Enjoy a magical production with our wonderful young singers. 2.30 pm HMS Pinafore and Trial by Jury - National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company Buxton Opera House Enjoy the final performances of our fantastic double bill.
7.30 pm The Gondoliers - National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company Buxton Opera House We close this year’s Festival with a fabulous production of The Gondoliers. Come and ‘Dance a Cachucha’ and we’ll raise the roof as we say goodbye until next year!
10.00 pm to midnight Festival Club, Pavilion Gardens £3 Join us next door to the Opera House for late-night entertainment, bar and supper.
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Save £30 – Annual membership £99.99. Now £69.99!
Discount Code: DEC30 Stream all your Gilbert & Sullivan favourites online now. Productions from last year’s Festival will be added throughout December. To claim your special Christmas 30% discount on an annual subscription, enter the code DEC30 at the checkout. Offer expires on January 15th 2024. Offer valid on recurring subscriptions only, but you can cancel at any time.
www.gsopera.tv 01422 323 252
CRUISE THE MEKONG 20 APRIL - 30 APRIL 2024 FROM £3400 PER PERSON CONTACT OLIVER@THEATRICALADVENTURES.COM 01422 323 252 WWW.THEATRICALADVENTURES.COM
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Explore the magnificent River Mekong for the holiday of a lifetime. Our exceptional cruise on the luxury RV Indochine II offers superb comfort and tranquillity and allows you to unwind amidst the vibrant and bustling life along the river. Enjoy peaceful moments on deck, gazing at the lush, everchanging landscapes, and indulge in the leisurely pace of river travel. We start our adventure in Ho Chi Minh City and travel through Vietnam into the rich countryside of Cambodia. We spend a full day in Phnom Penh, before exploring more remote waterways as we head to the great monuments of Angkor and a two-night stay in the fabulous five-star Sofitel Angkor Hotel. This is certainly a Theatrical Adventure with a difference, and as always, our onboard professional opera singers will keep you entertained each evening. And, our cruise directors will be on hand throughout to ensure your trip is smooth and stress-free from start to finish.
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AUSTRIA, SLOVAKIA, HUNGARY THE THREE CAPITALS DANUBE CRUISE 19 MARCH - 26 MARCH 2024 FROM £1550 PER PERSON
CONTACT OLIVER@THEATRICALADVENTURES.COM 01422 323 252 WWW.THEATRICALADVENTURES.COM
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The Danube is one of Europe’s most beautiful rivers, and our Blue Danube cruise waltzes between the glorious capital cities of Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest, with stops in Dürnstein, Melk Abbey and Salzburg. The river flows for 1700 miles through the heart of Europe, and along the way, you will enjoy the stunning landscapes and spectacular cities that have inspired composers and writers for centuries. We sail on the MS Ariana, one of our favourite ships. It is spacious, modern and very comfortable. Recently renovated rooms and the ship’s brand-new culinary team will perfectly compliment this extraordinary Theatrical Adventure.
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DOURO - PORTUGAL, SPAIN THE RIVER OF GOLD 04 NOVEMBER - 11 NOVEMBER 2024 FROM £1750 PER PERSON
CONTACT OLIVER@THEATRICALADVENTURES.COM 01422 323 252 WWW.THEATRICALADVENTURES.COM
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The Douro River is one of the most breathtaking rivers in Europe, stretching from Spain to Portugal and flowing through some of the continent's most stunning landscapes. The river is famous for its terraced vineyards, which produce some of the world's best port wines. Highlights include exploring charming riverside towns like Pinhão and Régua, visiting historic wineries, and taking in panoramic views from hilltop viewpoints. Every night we will have a concert featuring our professional soloists, along with some flamenco dancing and Portuguese Fado entertainment too! This cruise is a firm favourite, combining spectacular scenery, fabulous food and our world class entertainment.
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Your Christmas all wrapped up! All the productions from this year's Festival (and every Festival since 1998!) are available to buy on DVD, so if you missed one or you want to see it again, you can order it here. And we have some special boxed sets available to save money, too. NATIONAL GILBERT & SULLIVAN OPERA COMPANY 2023 - £21 DVD, Blu-Ray £26
The Yeomen of the Guard
The Pirates of Penzance The Mikado OR BUY ALL THREE FOR £55 DVD, Blu-Ray £70
COMPETING SHOWS – £19.50 DVD, Blu-Ray £24.50
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Iolanthe Brussels Light Opera Company (2023 Champions)
The Gondoliers Peak Opera (2023 Runners-up)
Ruddigore SavoyNet Performing Group
HMS Pinafore Bus Pass Opera
The Sorcerer New London Opera Group
Cox and Box, Trial by Jury and The Zoo, North West Productions
NEW FOR 2023! MUGS
Three brand-new china mugs for 2023. Choose from The Pirate King, Ko-Ko or Jack Point. Each mug is £12.50 or buy 3 for £32.50 and save £5.
G&S FESTIVAL POLO SHIRTS Available in light blue and black £23.99 Blue – Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, XLarge Black – Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, XLarge
BOOKMARKS - Just £2 each or 5 for £8.
Pirates Bookmark
Mikado Bookmark
Blossom Bookmark
Yeomen Bookmark
Festival Bookmark
Order online at shop.gsfestivals.org, call 01422 323252 or complete order form in the pull out section 63
CRUISES DANUBE - MEKONG - D OURO UK BREAKS
Your next Adventure starts here CALL US ON 01422 323 252 O R V I S I T W W W. T H E AT R I C A L A D V E N T U R E S . C O M