The Gilbert & Sullivan Society  :  Manchester

Notices: October 2011

Forthcoming events:

1) Opera North will be performing Ruddigore at The Grand Theatre in Leeds this Thursday, 27^th, at 7.30 pm and at the Lowry in Salford Quays in November on Tuesday 15^th and Thursday 17^th, both at 7.30 pm .  Box Office Tel. 0843 208 6010.  Most of our members who saw this production last year proclaimed it excellent.

2) Roberta Morrell is organising one of her weekends November 18^th to 20^th at Prestatyn, North Wales .  Sing-a-longs, Master Classes and talks of the Musicals and Gilbert & Sullivan featuring some former members of the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company and other professional artistes; Rosalind Griffiths, Leon Berger, Michael Buchan, Bruce Graham, Dr Donald Hunt, Patrick Healy and Roberta Morrell.  Also featuring Jane Johnson, David Toft and Bruce Vyner.  All for the inclusive price of £140.  Jean can email you a leaflet and booking form.

3) Remember our next meeting on next Society meeting, in only 9 days’ time on Tuesday November 1st, will be “the eminent musico” and G&S expert Dr David Russell Hulme whose subject will be ‘Silent Witness; or, Tales of a Musical Director’.  It will be the Norman Beckett meeting.

4) All thirty tickets in our Group booking to go in a party on Sunday January 8^th to see The Pirates of Penzance at the Bridgewater Hall at 3.00 pm have now been sold.  This will be our January meeting.  The tickets were £20.80, a saving of £5.20 on the full price for these side stalls seats.  If anyone else wants to book their own seats we will see you there.  Semi-staged concert version with professional principals and amateur chorus.  Cast list; Major General Stanley; Simon Butteriss,   The Pirate King; Alistair McGowan,   Samuel; Mark Evans,   Frederic; Oliver White,   Sergeant of Police; Bruce Graham,   Mabel; Charlotte Page,   Ruth; Beverley Klein,  Edith; Abigail Iveson,   Kate; Anna Lowe,   Isabel; Rosie Bell.  Conductor; Richard Balcombe.  Gilbert and Sullivan Chorus.  Manchester Concert Orchestra.

5) Chris Browne has some G&S items for) Chris Browne has brought some of his memorabilia for sale including Brian Jones’ latest book ‘Helen D’Oyly Carte: Gilbert and Sullivan's 4th Partner. Everyone loved her.’  The book has laminated wraps and is signed by Brian. 

Also ‘The Murgatroyd Code and other Imaginings’.  Playlets devised by Janet Cowley from the Works of W.S.Gilbert, with handwritten biographical note by the author.  

And many others.  For yourself or a Christmas present for another devotee?  If you think of something afterwards remember he can be contacted on www.gilbertandsullivanonline.com

6) We want to get our publicity to as many amateur performances of G&S as possible to gain new members and ensure that G&S enthusiasts who don’t yet know about us shall not miss out on the fun we have.  When a performance is coming up near you please take some leaflets and programme cards beforehand or ask Paul or Jean for some and get them to the theatre, if possible before the first night.  Also can you take a few to your local library, music shop or evening centre?  There are plenty of them here today – please take some.  Also always let us know what is coming up so we can tell other members in these notices.

Other notices:

It was with much sorrow that we heard in the summer of the death of Bernard Sharpe, a great G&S enthusiast, member of London G&S Society and their Chairman for many years.  Since he moved to Buxton a few years ago he was much in evidence at the International G&S Festivals there and became one of their Trustees.  A very kind, friendly person, he is much missed.

This is the Sheila Taylor meeting, a time when with think with great pleasure of her musicality and caring nature and all she did for the Society and the fun we had with her.  There was always much laughter when Sheila was around.