Programme for the 2018–19 (87th) Season Tuesday 2nd October 2018 at 2.30 pm “Youth will have its fling” David Goulden‘s music and drama students will entertain us with a concert. The Harold Sumner meet ing. Sunday 4th November 2018 at 2.30 pm “I am astonished and somewhat terrified” Stephen Turnbull, Secretary of the Sir Arthur Sullivan Society, will play a selection of his G&S recordings – selected for quality or amusement! Sunday 2nd Decem ber 2018 at 2.30 pm “whatever question may arise” Any G&S Questions with bring-and-share food. Sunday 13th January 2019 at 2.30 pm “Rend with songs the air above” Martin Lamb (bass baritone) will entertain us with song and information. He will be accompanied by David Wheeler. The Sheila Taylor meeting. Admission: members £5, visitors £7. Saturday 2nd February 2019 at 2.30 pm “They sing choru ses in public” A concert by New Rosemere Amateur Operatic Society from Bolton. Tuesday 5th March 2019 at 7.15 pm “I can teach you with a quip, if I've a mind” Paul Taylor will entertain and inform us with another of his fascinating presentations, this time on Iolanthe . Illustrated with music and visuals. The N orman Beckett meeting. Tuesday 2nd April 2019 at 7.15 pm “Everything is interesting” David Cookson and Collette Woodhouse will amuse and instruct us about music and other aspects of their work at Harrogate G&S Festivals. Admission: members £5, visitors £7. Tuesday 7th May 2019 at 7.15 pm “In punctual and business-like fashion” Annual General Meeting plus entertainment. Review

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

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

The Pirates of Penzance Click on a photograph to enlarge it. Click here to return to Gallery index

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 2010 at 2.30 pm “a past-master of that delicately modulated instrument” The Lost Chord Instrumental Ensemble will present a sparkling New Year concert, produced and presented by Christopher Browne. Tuesday 2nd February 2010 at 7.15 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 2026–27 (95th) Season 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

Programme for the 2017–18 (86th) Season Tuesday 3rd Octo ber 2017 at 7.15 pm “We recall without repining” Paul Kampen and Howard Rogerson will reminisce about their days in the D‘Oyly Carte orchestra and other G&S, with some live music including from a period horn. Tuesday 7th November 2017 at 7.15 pm “Rend with songs the air above” Kay Jordan (soprano) will entertain us with talk and song, accompanied by Tim Walker. The Shei la Taylor meeting. Admission: members £5, visitors £7. Tuesday 5th December 2017 at 7.15 pm “tell us all about it” David Cookson will delight us with talk and music from his wide experience of G&S as an MD, repetiteur, accompanist and founder of “Musical Solutions”. Tuesday 9th January 2018 at 7.15 pm “Life‘s a Pudding full of Plums” As are the Operettas! Name your favourite piece of music or dialogue, then we will listen, enthuse and inform together, led by John Coates. The Harold Sumner meeting. Sunday 4th February 2018 at 2.30 pm “They sing s o nicely” Three Towns Operatic Society, led by our member David Kay, will entertain us in concert. Tuesday 6th March 2018 at 7.15 pm “I can teach you with a quip, if I‘ve a mind” Martin Yates will fascinate us with his study of the music of Patience and Utopia . The Norman Beckett meeting. Admiss ion: members £5 , visitors £7. Tuesday 3rd April 2018 at 7.15 pm “everything is interesting” Details to be finalized. Tuesday 8th May 2018 at 7.15 pm “In punctual and business-like fashion” Annual General Meeting plus entertainment.

Programme for the 2020–21 (89th) Season THE PROGRAMME FOR THE 2020–21 (89th) SEASON WAS AFFECTED BY THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC. National lockdowns (late March 2020 to June 2020, and January 2021 to July 2021) and local lockdowns (tiers) (September 2020 to November 2020) restricted gatherings and movements of all, but essential, workers. Lockdowns caused the closure of all hospitality venues and non-essential shops, closed schools and encouraged working from home. Consequently, all society meetings during the 89th season were held by Zoom – the first time in the Society's history that Zoom had been used for meetings. Sunday 29th November 2020 on Zoom at 5.00 pm General meeting of the Society. Sunday 17th January 2021 on Zoom at 2.30 pm Ian Bradley will talk about his next book on Sullivan – A Life of Divine Emollient . Sunday 21st February 2021 on Zoom at 2.00 pm Barry Clark to entertain with a talk and music. Sunday 28th March 2021 on Zoom at 2.30 pm "Sullivan’s Drawing-Room Ballads” – a presentation by Professor Derek B. Scott. Tuesday 11th May 2021 on Zoom at 7.30 pm 88th and 89th Annual Meetings.

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 RNCM 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

Contact Us Get in Touch The Manchester Gilbert and Sullivan Society welcomes your enquiries. For information, please contact, as appropriate, one of the society’s officials... New Members/ Publicity Officer Secretary Treasurer PAUL TAYLOR email: enquiries@manchestergands.org.uk JEAN DUFTY email: secretary@manchestergands.org.uk DERRICK LACK email: treasurer@manchestergands.org.uk Alternatively, use this contact form... First Name Last Name Your Email Subject Type Your Message Here Send Message Thank You!

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 1st May to 30th April. The subscription of a member joining between 1st February and 30th 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!