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

2017 Convention Frid ay 21 April 2017 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm Celebration Dinner (4 course). Dress: to be decided. This will mark Manchester Society's 85th Anniversary as well as being the opening of the Convention. Frances McCafferty (contralto) will delight us afterwards with a short concert accompanied at the piano by David Wheeler. The cash bar in the Regis Suite will be open until midnight. Sat ur day 22 April 2017 9.30 – 10.00 am Assemble 10.00 am Welcome by Manchester Society Chairman, David Walton. 10.15 am Lecture: Theatre design in Gilbert's Day by David Wilmore. 11 .15 am Coffee 11.45 am Illustrated Lecture on Sullivan’s music by Professor Derek B. Scott. 12.45 pm Lunch : 3 course, hot. Cash bar open beforehand. 2 .30 pm David Walton will interview Frances McCafferty. Questions welcomed at the end. 3.15 to 3. 45 pm Interval tea or coffee 3.45 to 4.45 approx. John Balls and Arthur Barrett from Norwich G&S Society will present a tribute to Thomas Round. 4.45 to 6.30 pm Free time 6.30 pm Hot Buffet Tea 8.00 pm P rofessional Celebrity Concert. Celebrities to be announced. 10. 00 pm Light “supper” of Danish pastries, scones, tea and coffee. The cash bar in the Regis Suite will be open until midnight. Sunday 23 April 2017 10.0 0 am An Act of Worship using some of Sullivan’s sacred music, led by David Walton. 11 .00 am approx. Coffee 11.30 am Concert by postgraduate singers from the Royal Northern College of Music. 1.00 pm Sunday L unch (3 course) 2.30 to 3.30 pm Semi-staged concert by members of Sale Gilbert and Sullivan Society. 3.30 p m Formal closure of Convention, then disperse (“most reluctantly”).

Miscellaneous 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

Ages Ago 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

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

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

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

Video/Audio Recordings Sunday 19th April 2026: 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 at the piano by David Wheeler

Video/Audio Recordings Tuesday 13th January 2026: Jane Metcalfe, principal mezzo-soprano with the D‘Oyly Carte Opera Company 1975 to 1979, talks about her career both in the Company and afterwards. Sunday 5th October 2025: Our President David Mackie is in conversation with our Chairman, David Walton, and enchants us with some piano music. It is fifty years this year since David Mackie joined the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company.

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