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The Gilbert & Sullivan Society, Manchester, is an appreciation society of the G&S operas. We hold a variety of events, including talks, concerts and study evenings. Our meetings are held monthly from May to October: some via Zoom and others live in central Manchester. The Manchester Gilbert & Sullivan Society 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. About Our history & commitment Future Events See what's happening Join Us Support us “To get from ‘p rotoplasmal primordial atomic globule’ (as Gilbert and Sullivan put it) to sentient upright modern human has required you to mutate new traits over and over in a precisely timely manner for an exceedingly long while." Bill Bryson – A Short History of Nearly Everything (2003)

Upcoming Events CLICK HERE FOR OTHER EVENTS Monday 5th October 2026 on Zoom at 7.30 pm "And have I journeyed” “Journey to the Savoy” — Conductor John Andrews gives a personal account of his journey from a very different musical background through his involvement in the Sullivan recordings to his appreciation of the Savoy operas. Sunday 1st November 2026 at 2.30 pm “Of ballads, songs and snatches” Celebrity concert by our Vice-President John Savournin (baritone). Admission: members £5, visitors £7 The Sheila Taylor meeting. Tuesday 1st December 2026 on Zoom at 7.30 pm “For the company possess all the necessary dresses” Shelagh Fawcett talks about her time as wardrobe mistress in the D‘Oyly Carte Opera Company from 1976 to 1981. Tuesday 12th January 2027 on Zoom at 7.30 pm “The woman of the wisest wit” Roberta Morrell shares her wisdom on W.S. Gilbert — his talent as a dramatist from her perspective as a performer and director. Saturday 13th February 2027 on Zoom at 11.00 am “Oh, the man who can rule a theatrical crew” Eminent Australian opera director Stuart Maunder reflects on The challenges and joys of producing Gilbert & Sullivan in the 21st Century — a view from the Antipodes. Sunday 7th March 2027 at 2.30 pm “Rend the air with songs above” Friends from Rochdale Phoenix Opera Society entertain us with a selection of songs from the operas — including items from their upcoming production of The Pirates of Penzance and Trial by Jury . Sunday 4th April 2027 at 2.30 pm “Must have a beginning, you know” An illustrated presentation by David Walton on The early lives of Gilbert and Sullivan . The Norman Beckett meeting. Tuesday 11th May 2027 on Zoom at 7.30 pm “And now, my Lords, to the business of the day” Annual General Meeting. Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd May 2027 Gilbert & Sullivan Societies‘ Convention at the Pinewood Hotel, Wilmslow. Click here for further details

About Us The Manchester Gilbert and Sullivan Society , which was founded in 1932, provides an interesting and entertaining programme of events, once a month between October and May. Some of the meetings are held at the Cross Street Chapel , Cross Street, Manchester, usually on Sundays, and other meetings are held via Zoom, usually on Tuesdays. Many members of the society have close links with other related societies, including performing societies, and some members have professional links in the G&S world. The society aims to stimulate interest and develop knowledge of the Savoy operas and their authors; it is not a performing society, but enjoys friendly relations with local amateur societies. Our membership is made up of passionate individuals who share a love for these timeless operas. We invite you to join us in celebrating the music, characters and stories that have delighted audiences for over a century. The society is affiliated to The Gilbert and Sullivan Society which meets in London. It was founded in 1924 and was the first of some twenty affiliated societies formed throughout the world. The annual subscription to The Manchester Gilbert and Sullivan Society is £22, or £11 for anyone under the age of 18 or receiving full-time education. The year starts on 8th April. Admission to most meetings is free of charge. For one or two meetings a year, when professional singers/performers are involved, there is usually an admission charge of £5 for members, and £7 for visitors. We have a committee of approximately eight members who plan the monthly programmes and make other decisions about the Society.

Past Events 2026–2027 Programme 2025–2026 Programme 2024–2025 Programme 2023–2024 Programme 2022–2023 Programme 2022 Convention 2021–2022 Programme 2020–2021 Programme 2019–2020 Programme 2018–2019 Programme 2017–2018 Programme 2017 Convention 2016–2017 Programme 2015–2016 Programme 2014–2015 Programme 2013–2014 Programme 2012–2013 Programme 2011–2012 Programme 2010–2011 Programme 2009–2010 Programme

Yeomen of the Guard Click on a photograph to enlarge it. Click here to return to Gallery index

Programme for the 2025–26 (94th) Season Sunday 5th October 2025 at 2.30 pm "I have a pretty turn for anecdote" Our President David Mackie will be in conversation with David Walton and will enchant us with some piano music . It is 50 years this year since he joined the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company. The Norman Beckett meeting. Sunday 9th November 2025 at 2.30 pm "let the air with joy be laden" Our member David Goulden has organised a concert for us of professional young singers he taught when they were at school . The Sheila Taylor meeting. Tuesday 2nd December 2025 on Zoom at 7.30 pm "wher ever that isle may be" Andy Hill, the present owner of D’Oyly Carte Island on the Thames, will tell us about restoring the house and his plans for the future. The Harold Sumner meeting. Tuesday 13th January 2026 on Zoom at 7.30 pm "Happy to meet you all once more" Jane Metcalfe, principal mezzo-soprano with the D’Oyly Carte 1975 to 1979, will stroll down memory lane and tell us some of her activities since then. Tuesday 10th February 2026 on Zoom at 7.30 pm "Red and Yellow! Primary Colours! Oh, South Kensington!" Our member Raymond Walker, co-author of the scenic book, Backdrop to a Legend : The Scenic Design of the D‘Oyly Carte Opera Company , full of excellent images of D’Oyly Carte sets, has fresh historic and interesting Savoy photos to show. Sunday 1st March 2026 at 2.30 pm "he'll give you any further information" Our member Paul Taylor will entertain us with another of his popular evenings at an opera, The Mikado this time. Paul investigates the time in which it was written and details of interest about it. Sunday 19th April 2026 at 2.30 pm "with laughing song and merry dance" CELEBRITY CONCERT WITH PHOEBE SMITH. Phoebe studied at the Royal Academy of Music, and performs regularly with the National Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company. Accompanied on the piano by David Wheeler. Admission: members £5, visitors £7. Tuesday 19th May 2026 on Zoom at 7.30 pm "What ought we to do?" Annual General Meeting.

Programme for the 2011–12 (80th) Season Sunday 23rd October 2011 at 2.30 pm “how sweetly he carols forth his melody” Celebrity concert by Joseph Shovelton (tenor) and Ian Townsend (piano). [ Professional engagements permitting.] One not to be missed. Admission: members £5, visitors £7 The Sheila Taylor meeting. Tuesday 1st November 2011 at 7.15 pm “O man of learning!” ‘ Silent Witness; or, Tales of a Musical Detective ’ – talk by Dr David Russell Hulme, conductor, musicologist, expert on Britis h music, well known for his research and publications on Sullivan. The Norman Beckett meeting. Tuesday 6th December 2011 at 7.15 pm “fear nothing, but enjoy yourselves, I pray!” Sing-It-Ourselves Evening – we will celebrate the Festive Season with a Sing-It-Ourselves evening with bring-and-share refreshments. Sunday 8th January 2012 at 3.00 pm “Every journey has an end.” Outing to a semi-staged c oncert at the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, – The Pirates of Penzance with Alistair McGowan and several of our G&S favourites. De tails from Jean Dufty. Sunday 5th February 2012 at 2.30 pm “They sing so nicely” Concert by Bridget Budge (contralto) and John Patchett (bass-baritone), accompanied by Jonathan Ellis. [Professional engagements permitting.] Admission: members £5, visitors £7. Tues day 6th March 2012 at 7.15 pm “And now I look more closely at it” Paul Taylor will give us another of his informative study evenings, this time on The Pirates of Penzance . The Harold Sumner meeting. 20th - 22nd April 2012 “And echo forth the joyous sound” Gilbert and Sullivan Society National Convention at The Alma Lodge Hotel, Stockport. Tuesday 1st May 2012 at 7.15 pm “let u s grasp the situation” Annual General Meeting plus entertainment. Review Review

Iolanthe Click on a photograph to enlarge it. Click here to return to Gallery index

Miscellaneous Click on a photograph to enlarge it. Click here to return to Gallery index

Programme for the 2019–20 (88th) Season Sunday 13th October 2019 at 2.30 pm “Oh the man who can drive a theatrical team” Philip Walsh has been performing, building sets and directing on the Fylde Coast and Preston for over 55 years. He has attended every G&S Festival and taken part in many Savoynet shows. This afternoon he will entertain us with song and an illustrated talk about the variety of tasks he has undertaken. The Sheila Taylo r meeting. Sunday 10th November 2019 at 2.30 pm “in some old cabinet” Treasures from the attic! Raymond Walker, our archivist, assisted by Chris Browne, will talk about and show some of our archives which really should be seen and enjoyed more than they are. The Harold Sumner meeting. Tuesday 3rd December 2019 at 7.15 pm Subject to be arranged. Sunday 5th January 2020 at 2.30 pm “on each of us thy learning shed” Roderick Murray examines the life of D‘Oyly Carte patter man Walter Passmore, low comedian, star of musical comedy and legend of the music halls! Aft er George Grossmith‘s departure, several contenders to the throne of Principal Comedian emerged, but Walter Passmore reigned triumphant at the Savoy through the turbulent period of the 1890s. Presented in words, music and visuals. The Nor man Beckett meeting. Tuesday 4th February 2020 at 7.15 pm “such a past-master of that delicately modulated instrument” Our President David Mackie will reminisce about his days as Assistant MD of D‘Oyly Carte and play some of Sullivan‘s piano music. Admission: members £5, visitors £7. Tuesday 3rd March 2020 at 7.15 pm “a paradox, a paradox, a most ingenious paradox” We celebrate Frederic‘s birthday differently this year as John Coates muses on the Paradoxical, Topsy-Turvy World created by WSG in the operas. Sunday 5th April 2020 at 2.30 pm “his talents he‘ll employ” John Savournin will entertain us in song and talk about his work as performer and director. Admission: members £5, visitors £7. Tuesday 12th May 2020 at 7.15 pm “the gratifying feeling that our duty has been done” Annual General Meeting plus entertainment. CANCELLED DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC CANCELLED DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

Rutland Barrington Click on a photograph to enlarge it. Click here to return to Gallery index

Ages Ago Click on a photograph to enlarge it. Click here to return to Gallery index