Angela Lea, as Anglelina in an award winning production 'Trial by Jury', 2005
Margaret Cunliffe as Pheobe in a 2006 production of 'The Yeoman and the guard'
Tower warders under orders in 'The Yeoman of the Guard', 2006
|
History
Preston Gilbert and Sullivan G&S Society was founded in 1954, with the aim of keeping the great comedy and music of Gilbert and Sullivan alive, through performances of their most popular operettas.
The Preston G&S first production was the operetta "Iolanthe", and they have performed at least one operetta every year since then.
Gilbert and Sullivan who?
Gilbert was a playwright and Sullivan, a composer. Together they wrote 14 comic operettas between 1871 and 1894. They were duly rewarded with fame and a knighthood for their work in the entertainment business of the day.
G&S is historically important but the reason it survives as a living art form
is that it is fun to watch, listen to and do. Gilbert's humour, like Shakespeare's, hardly seems to date, being essentially based on a sharp eye
for universal human behaviour attributes. Sullivan's music is always
tuneful and in particular very sing able. In its day, it was the 'pop'
music of the time.
Today
The Society put on two productions a year, and stage each production twice: once at the Lowther Pavilion in Lytham St. Annes and here at the Preston Playhouse.
Recent productions include “The Yeoman of the Guard” 2006, “Trial by jury” and “HMS Pinafore” 2005, and “Iolanthe” in 2004, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their first production.
Preston G&S have received many National Operatic and Dramatic Association awards over the years. In 2005 they won awards for parts played by Angela Lea and Sally Shaw, both pictured right. The 2006 awards will be announced in the autumn.
Come on, get involved
Preston G&S will be delighted to hear from anyone with an interest in
putting on musical theatre. It takes around 70 people to put on a show, about 30 to 40 singing and the remainder either orchestra or 'back stage'.
Putting on a G&S show is great fun and we are a very friendly bunch - or so
people tell us! Our regular rehearsal night is 8 PM Tuesday at St.
Michael's Church Hall, junction of Egerton Road and Tulketh Road, Preston,
PR2 1AJ. Why not come down and meet us?
To find out more, please contact society membership secretary Sue Dillon on 01772 454774 or email: getinvolved@prestonplayhouse.com
Or you can visit the Society's website at: www.prestongass.co.uk
|
