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Past Events 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

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

About Us The Gilbert and Sullivan Society, Manchester , 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 Gilbert and Sullivan Society, Manchester 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. Heading 3

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 3rd April 2022. Postponed until 1st October 2023. 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

Gallery The images in this gallery are low definition files. High definition files are available on request to treasurer@manchestergands.org.uk , and can be reproduced provided that they are credited with "Manchester Gilbert & Sullivan Archives". Click on the appropriate button to see the photo gallery. Iolanthe The Mikado HMS Pinafore Patience The Pirates of Penzance Ages Ago Haddon Hall Rutland Barrington Princess Ida Ruddigore The Sorcerer Trial by Jury Miscellaneous The Yeomen of the Guard

Programme for the 2012–13 (81st) Season Sunday 14th Octo ber 2012 at 2.30 p m “Rend with songs the air above” Celebrity concert by a great performer of Gilbert & Sullivan: Frances McCafferty (contralto) accompanied at the piano by David Wheeler. [Professional engagements permitting.] Admi ssion: members £5, visitors £7. T he Sheila Taylor meeting. Tuesday 6th November 2012 at 7.15 pm “O man of learning!” Robin Wilson will present an illustrated talk ‘The other side of Sullivan’ about his non-G&S musical activities. The Norman Beckett meeting. Tuesday 4th December 2012 at 7.15 pm “A ‘corps de ballet’ AND ‘A Theatrical crew’!” We will view a DVD of the ballet Pineapple Poll , music from the operas brilliantly arranged by the late Sir Charles Mackerras. In the second half, the committee will perform the Gilbert play, “Creatures of Impulse .” Tuesday 8th January 2013 at 7.15 pm “What man for any other joy can thirst?” An evening of Gilbertian and Sullivanesque quizzes and games with our traditional excellent bring-and-share refreshments. Tuesday 5th February 2013 at 7.15 pm “With choral joy delight the breeze” Concert by members of Sale Gilbert and Sullivan Society. Sunday 3rd March 2013 at 2.30 pm “They sing so nicely” Concert postponed from last season by Bridget Budge (contralto) and John Patchett (bass/baritone), accompanied by Jonathan Elli s. [Professional engagements permitting.] Admission: members £5, visitors £7. The Harold Sumner meeting. Tuesday 9 th April 2013 at 7.15 pm “On each of us thy learning shed” Martin Yates, musician and Chairman of the Sir Arthur Sullivan Society, will fascinate us with a talk, illustrated at the piano, on the music of Princess Ida and The Yeomen of the Guard . Tuesday 7th May 2013 at 7.15 pm “Now what is this and what is that?” Annual General Meeting plus entertainment. Review

Yeomen of the Guard 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 2023–24 (92nd) Season Sunday 1st Octo ber 2023 at 2.30 pm "A Crichton of early romance" A concert by Peter Crichton and some fri ends of his from Crosby G&S Society. T he Sheila Taylor meeting. Sunday 5t h November 2023 at 2.30 pm "I tune my supple song" 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 "Though my book I seem to scan in a rapt ecstatic way" Talk/pr esentation by Elisabeth Kehoe on her biography of Helen D‘Oyly Carte, formerly Helen Lenoir: “Queen of the Savoy”. The Nor man Beckett meeting. Tuesday 9th January 2024 on Zoom at 7.30 pm “All is prepared” 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 “List and learn” Laurence Leng of Sussex G&S Society shares treasures from John Cannon‘s and Melvyn Tarran‘s memorabilia collections. Sunday 3rd March 2024 at 2.30 pm “On each of us thy learning shed” Paul Taylor will inform and amuse us with one of his studies of an opera, Patience this time. These have become regular favourite meetings. Sunday 7th April 2024 at 2.30 pm "there is not one word... which is calculated to bring the blush of shame to the cheek of modesty" “Gilbert & Sullivan and delicate sexu al matters.” A presentation by Professor Derek B Scott with musical illustrations. Tuesday 14th May 2024 on Zoom at 7.30 pm "And now, my Lords, to the business of the day" Annual General Meeting plus social chat. Tuesday 25th June 2024 on Zoom at 7.30 pm "Though my book I seem to scan in a rapt ecstatic way" Talk/pr esentation by Elisabeth Kehoe on her biography of Helen D‘Oyly Carte, formerly Helen Lenoir: “Queen of the Savoy”. The Nor man Beckett meeting. Photos Photos POSTPONED DUE TO ILLNESS OF A FAMILY MEMBER. ENTERTAINMENT PROVIDED BY SOCIETY MEMBERS THIS MEETING WAS POSTPONED FROM TUESDAY 5TH DECEMBER 2023

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, Background to a Legend , 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.

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