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The Gilbert & Sullivan Society, Manchester We are not a performing society, but exist to help anyone who wants to increase their knowledge of the operas of Gilbert and Sullivan, and the lives of W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. The aims of the society are to encourage people of all ages to enjoy and develop their knowledge of the world of Gilbert and Sullivan, and to help maintain the integrity of the operas. Join us on Facebook About Our history & commitment Future Events See what's happening Join Us Support us “Is everything normal now?” “Well he hasn‘t got religious mania, and he isn‘t running around in a circle spouting Gilbert and Sullivan, so I suppose he‘s normal.” Asimov, Isaac I, Robot (1950)

Upcoming Events Please note that some meetings will be live on Sunday afternoons at 2.30 pm in Cross Street Chapel , Cross Street, Manchester, M2 1NL, and others will be on Zoom on Tuesday evenings at 7.30 pm Sunday 5th November 2023 at 2.30 pm A concert by Bruce Graham, bass-baritone, of D'Oyly Carte and G&S International Festivals. His wife Caroline may contribute a song or two. With David Wheeler at the piano. The Harold Sumner meeting. Admission: members £5, visitors £7 Tuesday 5th December 2023 on Zoom at 7.30 pm Talk/presentation by Elisabeth Kehoe on her biography of Helen D'Oyly Carte, formerly Helen Lenoir: “Queen of the Savoy”. The Norman Beckett meeting Tuesday 9th January 2024 on Zoom at 7.30 pm Ken Robertson-Scott, formerly Stage Manager, with D’Oyly Carte Opera Company, will tell us much about his work backstage. Tuesday 6th February 2024 on Zoom at 7.30 pm Laurence Leng of Sussex G&S Society shares treasurers from John Cannon’s and Melvyn Tarran’s memorabilia collections. Sunday 3rd March 2024 at 2.30 pm Paul Taylor will inform and amuse us with one of his studies of an opera, Patience this time. Sunday 7th April 2024 at 2.30 pm “Gilbert & Sullivan and delicate sexual matters” A presentation by Professor Derek B. Scott with musical illustrations. Tuesday 14 May 2024 on Zoom at 7.30 pm Annual General Meeting plus social chat.

Programme for the 2013–14 (82nd) Season Sunday 13th Octo ber 2013 at 2.30 p m “rend with songs the air above” Professional celebrity concert by John Savournin (baritone) accompanied at the piano by David Eaton. Many of us have enjoyed John‘s fine voice and acting skills at Buxton. [Professional engagements permitting.] Admis sion: members £5, visitors £7 The Harold Sumner meeting. ​ Tuesday 5th November 2013 at 7.15 pm “The woman of the wisest wit” Sandra Dugdale, soprano, producer and lecturer, will entertain and enlighten us with an illustrated talk on producing G&S. The Sheila Taylor meeting. ​ Tuesday 3rd December 2013 at 7.15 pm “everything is interesting, tell us, tell us all about it” Derek Scott, Professor of Music at Leeds University, will entertain us about ‘humorous devices in G&S’ from his knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, G&S. A v ery entertaining speaker. The Norman Beckett meeting. ​ Tuesday 4th February 2014 at 7.15 pm “seated one day at the keyboard” Piano and organ recital of Sullivan music by some of our members and friends. ​ Tuesday 4th March 2014 at 7.15 pm “studied gravely and conscientiously” Paul Taylor will present another of his studies of an opera, Ruddigore , illustrated in ‘many various ways’. ​ Sunday 13th April 2014 at 2.30 pm David Ka y, one of our members, is an experienced performer and producer with The Three Towns Operatic Society. He will sing a selection of G&S, and talk about performing and producing. ​ Tuesday 6th May 2014 at 7.15 pm “to this attend without undue delay” Annual General Meeting plus entertainment. Review Review

Programme for the 2009–10 (78th) Season Tuesday 15th September 2009 at 7.15 pm “I‘m one of the family” An attractive extra meeting: Scott Hayes, Arthur Sullivan‘s great, great nephew, will speak to us again during his visit from the USA. “Uncle Arthur: The California Connection” ​ Tuesday 8th October 2009 at 7.15 pm “Remarkable people in history” Simon Theobald will present the life of Rutland Barrington, bass-baritone, in the original company, and sing some of the songs first sung by Barrington, accompanied by Andrew Nicklin. The Norman Beckett meeting. ​ Sunday 8th November 2009 at 2.30 pm “a refreshing novelty” Jeff Clarke, originator/MD/producer of Opera della Luna, will speak about creating the Company. [Pr ofessional engagements permitting.] ​ Tuesday 1 December 2009 at 7.15 pm “Ballads, songs and snatches” Celebrity concert by Victoria Byron (mezzo) and Ian Belsey (baritone), accompanied by David Norris. [Professional engagements permitting.] Admission: members £5, visitors £7 The Sheila Taylor meeting. ​ Sunday 10th January at 2.30 pm “a past-master of that delicately modular instrument” The Lost Chord Instrumental Ensemble will present a sparkling New Year concert, produced and presented by Christopher Browne. ​ Tuesday 2nd February 2010 at 715 pm “and for knowledge if anyone burns” Study evening on The Sorcerer presented by Paul Taylor. ​ March 2010 “who thirst for such instruction as we give” We are arranging a Masterclass for music students in conjunction with well-known G&S conductor, John Owen Edwards. [Professional engagements permitting.] The day-time class and following concert are both to be open for our members to attend. Date and details to follow. The Harold Sumner meeting. ​ Tuesday 6th April 2010 at 7.15 pm “jolly jinks” A DIY evening of fun. ​ Tuesday 4th May 2010 at 7.15 pm “in a contemplative fashion” Annual General Meeting plus entertainment.

Programme for the 2016–17 (85th) Season Sunday 4th Octo ber 2016 at 2.30 pm “They sing choruses in public” Concert by members of Manchester University Gilbert & Sullivan Society (MUGSS). ​ Tuesday 1st November 2016 at 7.15 pm “Rend with songs the air above” Concert by students of the Royal Northern College of Music from Offenbach‘s La Vie Parisienne – a taster of their December production – and a selection of Gilbert & Sullivan items. The Sh eila Taylor meeting. ​ Sunday 4th December 2016 at 2.30 pm “In his own melodious way!” Co ncert by Joseph Sho velton (tenor). [Professional engagements permitting.] The Harold Sumner meeting. Admi ssion: members £5, visitors £7 ​ Sunday 15th January 2017 at 2.30 pm “Is all this true?” “D‘Oyly Carte: the inside story” – Roberta Morrell will enter tain us with background stories from interviews for her book of the same name. ​ Tuesd ay 7th February 2017 at 7.15 pm “It is a pretty picture” A talk by Raymond Walker on D‘Oyly Carte backcloths and scenery through the decades, illustrated by some beautiful photos. He and David Skelly are working on a book on this subject. ​ Tuesday 7th March 2017 at 7.15 pm “Told in ‘song and story’” Paul Taylor will instruct us again with one of his opera studies – The Yeoman of the Guard – this time. The N orman Beckett meeting. ​ Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd April 2017 “And all day long our lives would be a song” Convention for members of all Affiliated G&S Societies at the Alma Lodge Hotel, Stockport. ​ Tuesday 9th May 2017 at 7.15 pm “And now, my Lords, to the business of the day” Annual General Meeting plus entertainment.

Join Us Would you like to join us? W e are a well-established Society for anyone who has an interest in all things G ilbert and Sullivan. W e are not a performing society, but an appreciation society. By joining you get: An interesting and varied programme of events. Savings on the cost to some of our events. The Gilbert and Sullivan News (published three times a year) which contains a wealth of information. ​ Annual Membership: Adult Members: £22.00 Junior/Student Members (under the age of 18 or receiving full-time education): £11.00 Note: Subscriptions date from 8th April to 7th April. The subscription of a member joining between 1st January and 7th April will be half the full amount. ​ Please fill in the form below if you would like to join us or have a query on your membership status. First name Last name Email Write a message Submit Thanks for submitting!

Programme for the 2015–16 (84th) Season Tuesday 6th Octo ber 2015 at 7.30 pm “Do you hear that? Are you not delighted?” Arthur Barrett of Norwich G&S Society will entertain us with unusual or rare recordings from his large collection. ​ Tuesday 3rd November 2015 at 7.30 pm “When I was a lad I served a term...” Mike Leigh, well-known film and theatre Director and writer, local lad and former member of this Society as a youth, will talk about his view of Gilbert and Sullivan. [P rofessional engagements permitting.] Prior booking essential: £7 for visitors The Harold Sumner meeting. ​ Tuesday 1st December 2015 at 7.30 pm “everything is interesting, tell us, tell us all about it” James Hendry, a very talented young pianist, accompanist and conductor from the TNCM will talk about promoting G&S and will entertain us on the pian o. [Professional engagements permitting.] The Norman Beckett meeting . ​ T uesday 12th January 2016 at 7.30 pm “Lift your song on high, all comers.” Some members of Sale Gilbert and Sullivan Society will entertain us right royally as they have done before. Always an enjoyable evening. ​ Sunday 31st January 2016 at 2.30 pm “On each of us thy learning shed.” A talk, illustrated at the piano, by tenor and singing teacher, Oliver White. We have enjoyed his many performances at Buxton/Harrogate G&S Festivals and his talk to the 2012 Convention. [Professional engagements permitting.] Admission: members £5, visitors £7 The Sheila Taylor meeting. ​ Tuesday 1st March 2016 at 7.30 pm “born in leap year...” A Frederic's birthday party; amusing ourselves and enjoying bring and share refreshments. ​ Sunday 3rd April 2016 at 2.30 pm “Everything is a source of fun.” Concert by soprano Ruth Betteridge who trained at the RNCM and has performed in the professional G&S Festival company. [Professional engagements permitting.] Admission: members £5, visitors £7 ​ Tuesday 3rd May 2016 at 7.30 pm “What ought we to do?” Annual General Meeting plus entertainment. Review

Programme for the 2014–15 (83rd) Season Tuesday 7th Octo ber 2014 at 7.30 pm “I tune my supple song” Concert by Alexandra Saunders (soprano), accompanied at the piano by Andrew Nicklin. “a past-master of that delicately modulated instrument” Many of us have enjoyed Alexandra‘s lovely voice and fine acting and Andrew‘s accompanying at Buxton. [Professional engagements permitting.] Admission: members £5, visitors £7 The Sheila Taylor meeting. ​ Sunday 2nd November 2014 at 2.30 pm “that gallant band” Concert by the White Rose Or chestra, conducted by Chris Browne. The Harold Sumner meeting. ​ Tuesday 2nd December 2014 at 7.30 pm “many a song and story” Raymond Walker will present half an evening on the new recording of Sullivan‘s On Shore and Sea . Second half of evening: a soirée by members. The Norman Beckett meeting. ​ Tuesday 6th January 2015 at 7.30 pm “On each of us thy learning shed” Ruddig ore – Paul Taylor will present another of his studies of an opera, illustrated in “many various ways”. ​ Tuesday 3rd February 2015 at 7.30 pm “your character true unfurl” Andrew Crowther, Secretary of the Gilbert Society and biographer of Gilbert, is an acknowledged expert on the subject and will lead us closer to Gilbert the man. Click the icon to see the slides from Andrew Crowther’s talk on W.S. Gilbert: ​ February or March 2015 “everything is a source of fun” A society visit to Manchester University Gilbert and Sullivan Society‘s performance of Patience, probably on Saturday matinée February 21st at Manchester Grammar School – check nearer the time. ​ Sunday 12th April 2015 at 2.30 pm “The happy hours will gaily fly!” We are lucky to have been able to secure a concert from Donald with his busy schedule. He will entertain us in his usual way with song and humour. [ Professional engagements permitting.] Admi ssion: members £5, visitors £7 ​ Tuesday 5th May 2015 at 7.30 pm Annual General Meeting plus entertainment. Review

Programme for the 2022–23 (91st) Season Sunday 11th September 2022 at 2.30 pm “With choral joy delight the breeze” A concert by Peter Crichton and some friends of his from Crosby G&S Society. Postponed from April 2022. ​ Sunday 2nd October 2022 at 2.30 pm “Towards the empyrean heights" A concert by five professional singers celebrating the life of the late Dorothy Goulden. David and Dorothy nurtured them when they were teenagers. The Sheila Taylor meeting. ​ Sunday 6th November 2022 at 2.30 pm “A Pure and Patient Love – Recorded” Our member David Wheeler will compare and contrast some different recordings of G&S operas pointing out interesting differences. The Harold Sumner meeting. ​ Tuesday 6th December 2022 on Zoom at 7.30 pm "There can be no harm in revelling in the past" Pamela Field, soprano with the D‘Oyly Carte in the 1970s, will talk about her days in the Carte and her subsequent career. ​ Tues day 10th January 2023 on Zoom at 7.30 pm "everything is interesting" Cr eating Iolanthe and Utopia Ltd, presented by Michael Heyland, Director of Productions, D‘Oyly Carte Opera Company 1969 to 1978. The Norman Beckett meeting. ​ Saturday 4th Feb ruary 2023 on Zoom at 10.30 am "in yonder isle beyond the sea" Presentation by Stuart Maunder and Diana Burleigh about some aspects of G&S in Australia. ​ Sunday 5th March 2023 at 2.30 pm “with laughing song and merry dance” A concert by Mae Heydorn, mezzo with the The G&S Festival Opera Company among other companies. Admission: members £5, visitors £7 ​ Sunday 2nd April 2023 at 2.30 pm "your character true unfurl" John Coates will encourage a few members to speak about one or more of their favourite characters in the G&S operas. ​ Tuesday 9th May 2023 on Zoom or Live at 7.30 pm "to this attend without undue delay" Annual General Meeting plus entertainment. Review Review Review

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