Ruddigore opens next week!

Our production of Ruddigore opens next Wednesday 30th April and rehearsals are nearly over! We can't wait to show off all our hard work when we take the stage at Woodside Hall, Hitchin next week. Here is a little taster of what Gilbert and Sullivan's take on melodrama is all about:

"The Baronets of Ruddigore are cursed. Anyone who succeeds to the title has to commit a crime every day - or perish in inconceivable agony!

What the people of Rederring in Cornwall are unaware of is that the ‘honest’ farmer, Robin Oakapple, is really Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd in disguise. His younger brother, Despard, believing Ruthven to be dead, has assumed the title. However, the sailor Dick Dauntless, Ruthven’s rival for the love of Rose Maybud, tells Despard that his brother is alive. This forces Ruthven to assume his rightful role.

As the Baronet of Ruddigore, Robin is confronted by the ghosts of his ancestors who are most unimpressed by his pathetic attempts at wickedness. How can he win back Rose and return to his life as a good man?"

Tickets are still available for every night and our Saturday Matinee. Scan our QR code below or click here!

Trial by Jury 'Bring & Sing' and World Piano Day

PBGS had a busy day yesterday! In the afternoon we had our Trial by Jury Bring and Sing at Pirton Village Hall, and we had a fantastic time singing this piece together and celebrating its 150th Anniversary. Many thanks to everyone who joined us to sing or to listen, our wonderful cast, our MD Margaret Johnson for getting such a great performance out of us, all the helpers who served yummy tea and cake (not to mention washing up) and all from Pirton who helped us set up! What a wonderful afternoon of music making and reuniting with old friends who came to share the occasion with us.

In the morning we were in Hitchin Market Square celebrating World Piano Day, entertaining passing shoppers and raising money for the Garden House Hospice. Many Thanks to Sue Trost for organising it and playing the Old Joanna for us. We had brilliant sunshine and there was even an eclipse of the sun... 

Trial by Jury Bring and Sing

 

Exciting news! To celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Gilbert & Sullivan's 'Trial by Jury' we are holding a Bring and Sing on Saturday 29th March.

Join us at 2pm at Pirton Village Hall, Pirton Herts SG5 3PS to learn this sparkling comic piece with us (scores provided or bring your own), or come at 3.30 for refreshments and enjoy the performance as a member of the audience. Victorian dress is optional if you want to get into the spirit of the occasion!

Tickets are available from Ticketsource or click on our booking button and select the Bring and Sing!

 

 

Beati/PBGS Concert

PBGS performers with Beati Vocal Ensemble

Fabulous joint concert with Beati Vocal Ensemble in Harlington. This is the second colaboration with Beati and it was great making music together. We had everything from sacred music to comedy, musicals, G&S and jazz! We had a very appreciative audience with lots of lovely comments afterwards including 'when words fail music speaks. Indeed it does! 

Thank you to everyone who came and supported us, to Beati - Vocal Ensemble, and to all the PBGS helpers who beavered away behind the scenes with refreshments and the raffle. What a lovely evening!

We at PBGS are really looking forward to sharing another concert with our friends at Beati, this time at Harlington Village Hall. Book here for a great evening of new pieces by our joint MD, Chris Burrett, familiar favourites and a taste of our next show, Ruddigore. Tickets also available at the door and there will also be refreshments. 

7.30pm Saturday 1 February
Harlington Village Hall

Sundon Road
Harlington
Dunstable
Bedfordshire
LU5 6LS

Ruddigore floor rehearsals have started!

 

Floor rehearsals for our production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Ruddigore have started and Rederring’s group of Professional Bridesmaids have been practicing their moves! 

 

Ruddigore runs from the 30th April to 3rd May at The Woodside Hall, Hitchin, the same venue where we performed our production of The Sorcerer, and we promise you plenty of melodrama and ghostly goings on. And Bridesmaids.

 

A little taster from the Gilbert and Sullivan Archive:

The Baronets of Ruddigore are cursed. Anyone who succeeds to the title has to commit a crime every day — or perish in inconceivable agony.

Robin Oakapple, a young farmer loves Rose Maybud, but both are too shy to tell the other. But Robin has a secret. He is really Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd, the rightful Baronet of Ruddigore, in disguise. His younger brother, Despard, believing Ruthven to be dead, has assumed the title. Robin's foster brother, Richard, seeking Rose for himself, tells Despard of Robin's deception, and Robin is forced to accept his true position, losing Rose to Richard in the process.

Now the Baronet of Ruddigore, Robin is confronted by the he ghosts of his ancestors who step from their picture frames in the gallery of Ruddigore Castle to confront him for failing to conscientiously commit his daily crime. Robin eventually finds a way of satisfying his ancestors demands whilst continuing to live a blameless life...