Sunday, 29 May 2011

NHGS Gilbert and Sullivan concert


North Herts Guild of Singers are presenting The Topsy Turvy World of Gilbert and Sullivan on Saturday 18th June 2011 at the Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage. Visit the NHGS Society Website here for more details.
'To mark the centenary of WS Gilbert’s death the North Herts Guild of Singers, with invited soloists, present a romp through the witty satire of Gilbert and the incomparable melodies of Arthur Sullivan. Gilbert poked fun at all that was self-important in Victorian England. The mighty, the rich, the lawyers, the Lords - all were cleverly mocked. Even melodrama, magic, feminism and the aesthetic movement were not spared his sharp wit. Their topsy-turvy tales have left us with a rich legacy of operettas that are still regularly performed and loved throughout the world.'

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Monday, 23 May 2011

Show taster results

The Show Taster results are in, after an entertaining evening sampling a variety of shows and some really fun presentations. This is a provisional list as the Autumn shows depend on the availability of performing licenses, but here is the master plan so far, based on popularity:
Spring 2012 (April) - Patience
Autumn 2012 (October) - Jack the Ripper (The Musical)
Spring 2013 (April) - The Zoo, Cox and Box, Trial by Jury
Autumn 2013 (October) - Salad Days
It looks like we have a very exciting two years ahead, both for audiences and the Society!

Here are some links with more information about the shows:

Salad Days:   Guide to Musical Theatre
Patience:   The Gilbert and Sullivan Archive
The Zoo:   The Gilbert and Sullivan Archive
Cox and Box: The Gilbert and Sullivan Archive
Trial by Jury: The Gilbert and Sullivan Archive

 The cover of the original cast recording
© Oriole Records

Wednesday, 11 May 2011

Show taster evening

Tuesday, 17th May 2011 from 7.45pm
Streatley Village Hall.

A selection of shows will be presented with Audio, DVD clips and live performances so that members can choose the next shows for the Society in 2012 and possibly even 2013.

This will be a fun evening where you can have your say and vote for what you want to perform - from Modern Musicals, G&S, Operettas, Music Hall and more.

Free nibbles & wine

If you are a member and can't attend the evening you can still vote using the slip which can be printed from the link below. Votes need to reach Paula by 17 May.

Downloadable Voting Form PDF.

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Sunday, 8 May 2011

Our Next PBGS Show

Congratulations to everyone for a successful production of Ruddigore, and to our audiences for supporting us and almost filling the entire Theatre. By all the laughter, I think everybody had a very good time!


But we are not resting on our laurels - we will soon be starting rehearsals for our next production - The Gilbert and Sullivan Sketch Show. Written by member, Paula Fraser, this show is a fast-paced and irreverent romp through the main themes of all the Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas. We will be performing the Sketch Show at Henlow Theatre on the 16th July 2011, at the Buxton International G&S Festival Fringe on the 31st July 2011, and presenting it as our Autumn Show as we return to the Queen Mother Theatre with it from the 6th - 8th October 2011.

We hope to see you all there for more G&S mayhem!

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Tuesday, 3 May 2011

PBGS Ruddigore showing this week

© Sue Wookey

PBGS's production of Ruddigore opens at the Queen Mother Theatre, Hitchin, tomorrow night and audiences will be treated to an evening of high melodrama, comedy and fantastic singing. But ‘be warned in time’ (to quote Dame Hannah) that Thursday tickets are nearly sold out so if you want to come on that night, book now!

Come along this week and find out if pretty Rose Maybud will choose to marry ‘Dick’ the Sailor, who thinks she’s a ‘tight little craft’, or Sir Despard Murgatroyd, the current Bad Baronet of Ruddigore, or will she pick shy and retiring Robin Oakapple who harbours a dark and dreadful secret?

Ruddigore
4th - 7th May
The Queen Mother Theatre
Walsworth Road
Hitchin SG4 9SP

Theatre Box Office: 01462 455166 between 12.30 and 1.30pm Mondays to Saturdays and 8pm to 9.30pm Mondays to Thursdays
Or from the Society: 07946 264886

Tickets £12, *Concessions Wed and Thur £10
*concessions: senior citizens, children, ES40JPs, students