International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival - Sir Arthur Sullivan Society

The thirty-second International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival will take place in and around Buxton Opera House from 1 – 15 August. The National Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company will present H.M.S. Pinafore (1 Aug 2.30 & 7.30, 9 Aug 7.30, 12 Aug 2.30, 14 Aug 7.30); The Pirates of Penzance (2 Aug 2.30 & 7.30, 8 Aug 2.30, 12 Aug 7.30, 15 Aug 2.30); The Mikado (5 Aug 2.30 & 7.30, 8 Aug 7.30, 9 Aug 2.30, 15 Aug 7.30) and a concert, The Best of G&S (4 Aug 7.30, 14 Aug 2.30). Charles Court Opera present Iolanthe (7 Aug 2.30 & 7.30).

The international competition for amateur performing groups will feature five evening shows in the Opera House; and the UniFest, the competition for university societies, will take place in the Pavilion Arts Centre with afternoon performances. There will be further afternoon opera performances in the PAC, as well as a morning programme of talks; lunchtime and afternoon solo recitals in St. John’s church, across the road from the Opera House. Talks include The Music of Sullivan in his Own Words by Elaine Richardson (7 Aug 10.30). Among other speakers are Ian Bradley, Diana Burleigh and David Wilmore. The Festival church service is on 9 Aug (10.30) and the annual memorabilia fair, at which the Society will have its usual presence, is on 8 Aug (10.00 – 4.00)

Every evening from 3 August (not 4 Aug) Stephen Turnbull will be giving a pre-show talk on that night’s opera. The talks will be in St. John’s church at 6.30 and will last around thirty minutes.

More details and further information in due course. In the meantime, see www.gsfestivals.org or ring the Festival office on 01422-323252.