Welcome to the 31st International Gilbert & Sullivan Festval
Isn't it astonishing how quickly time flies? It feels like only yesterday we were bidding a fond farewell to Buxton after the spectacular 30th Festival. And now, here we are again – the programme unveiled, the priority draw in full swing, tickets ready to fly off the printer, and once more, we’re off to Fairyland!
We’ve planned two incredible weeks of top-tier entertainment for you.
A true highlight and a dream come true is "Revisiting Ida"! Back in 2009, Jeff Clarke directed a magical production of Princess Ida. As the curtain rose in the Opera House, the audience gasped at the stunning black-and-white costumes and a dark, forbidding set. We were absolutely thrilled when Jeff agreed to revisit this wonderful production, which has gone down in Festival history as one of the finest we have ever staged.
If you missed it back then, this is your chance to witness its splendour. You will not be disappointed. And if you were lucky enough to see it in 2009, we know you’ll want to experience it again in all its glory! (See Jeff’s article on page 20)
Of course, there’s also much more to look forward to. We are delighted to welcome John Savournin, one of the country’s leading G&S specialists, to direct Iolanthe and The Pirates of Penzance for the National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company. Our NGSOC Musical Director, James Hendry, will conduct Iolanthe, while John Andrews will take the baton for Princess Ida and The Pirates of Penzance. It’s simply “too much happiness”!
But don’t just take our word for it – now you can explore the full programme! Inside, you’ll find all the information you need to book tickets. And if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the Festival HQ in Halifax.
There’s no denying the timeless magic of Gilbert & Sullivan, and the Festival proudly showcases the very best. We can’t wait to share this wonderful celebration with you next summer.
On behalf of the Festival Team, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year.
Festival - Programme and Priority Draw
Programme at a glance
Buxton Opera House
Pavilion Gardens
St John’s Church Palace Hotel
Pavilion Arts Centre Lee Wood Hotel Octagon Foyer
Saturday 2 August
2.30 pm The Pirates of Penzance, NGSOC BOH
7.30 pm The Pirates of Penzance, NGSOC BOH
10.00 pm Festival Club and Cabaret PG
Sunday 3 August
10.30 am Introduction to Iolanthe, Stephen Turnbull PAL
1.00 pm Classical Pops SJC
2.30 pm Iolanthe, NGSOC BOH
7.30 pm Iolanthe, NGSOC BOH
10.00 pm Festival Club and Cabaret PG
Monday 4 August
10.30 am Introduction to Yeomen, Stephen Turnbull SJC
1.00 pm Classical Pops SJC
2.30 pm HMS Pinafore, Harrogate G&S Society PAC
7.30 pm The Yeomen of the Guard, Godalming Operatic Society BOH
10.00 pm Festival Club and Cabaret PG
Tuesday 5 August
10.30 am In Conversation with John Andrews SJC
1.00 pm Classical Pops SJC
2.30 pm Iolanthe, University of Southampton Light Opera Society PAC
7.30 pm The Pirates of Penzance, The New London Opera Group BOH
10.00 pm Festival Club and Cabaret PG
Wednesday 6 August
10.30 am Introduction to Princess Ida, Stephen Turnbull PAL
1.00 pm The Zoo, SavoyNet Performing Group SJC
2.30 pm Princess Ida, NGSOC BOH
2.30 pm Hobson's Choice, North West Productions PAC
7.30 pm Princess Ida, NGSOC BOH
10.00 pm Festival Club and Cabaret PG
Thursday 7 August
10.30 am In Conversation with Jeff Clarke SJC
1.00 pm Classical Pops SJC
2.30 pm Ruddigore, West Yorkshire Savoyards PAC
7.30 pm Patience, Peak Opera BOH
10.00 pm Festival Club and Cabaret PG
Friday 8 August
10.30 am Frederic Sullivan - How he came to be a Judge! Elaine Richardson SJC
1.00 pm Classical Pops SJC
2.30 pm The Mikado, Charles Court Opera BOH
2.30 pm The Pirates of Penzance, Birmingham University PAC
7.30 pm The Mikado, Charles Court Opera BOH
10.00 pm Festival Club and Cabaret PG
Saturday 9 August
10-4pm Memorabilia Fair OF 10.30 am A Source of Innocent Merriment, Prof Ian Bradley SJC
1.00 pm Classical Pops SJC
2.30 pm HMS Pinafore, Festival Youth Theatre PAC
2.30 pm The Pirates of Penzance, NGSOC BOH
7.30 pm Princess Ida, NGSOC BOH
10.00 pm Festival Club and Cabaret PG
Sunday 10 August
10.30 am Festival Church Service SJC
12.30 pm Festival Lunch - Lee Wood Hotel LWH
1.00 pm Classical Pops SJC
2.30 pm Princess Ida, NGSOC BOH
7.30 pm Iolanthe, NGSOC BOH
10.00 pm Festival Club and Cabaret PG
Monday 11 August
10.30 am The Sound of Music, Prof Ian Bradley SJC
1.00 pm Classical Pops SJC
2.30 pm Iolanthe, Durham University PAC
7.30 pm Ruddigore, Bus Pass Opera BOH
10.00 pm Festival Club and Cabaret PG
Tuesday 12 August
10.30 am 150 years of Trial by Jury, David Wilmore SJC
1.00 pm Trial by Jury Sing-a-Long SJC
2.30 pm Mr Jericho and Old Sarah, Jam Factory Opera PAC
7.30 pm The Gondoliers, Brussels Light Opera Company BOH
10.00 pm Festival Club and Cabaret PG
Wednesday 13 August
10.30 am Introduction to The Pirates of Penzance, Stephen Turnbull SJC
1.00 pm Classical Pops SJC
2.30 pm Iolanthe, NGSOC BOH
2.30 pm Flanders & Swann with Donald Maxwell and Chris Milton SJC
7.30 pm The Pirates of Penzance, NGSOC BOH
10.00 pm Festival Club and Cabaret PG
Thursday 14 August
10.30 am 'And I can't think why!': the curious return of Milton & Butler-Gallie SJC
1.00 pm Classical Pops SJC
2.30 pm Iolanthe, York University PAC
7.30 pm HMS Pinafore, SavoyNet Performing Group BOH
10.00 pm Festival Club and Cabaret PG
Friday 15 August
10.30 am Church Bell Ringing for Beginners, Lindsay Whitham SJC
1.00 pm Classical Pops SJC
2.30 pm The Grand Duke, Oxford University PAC
2.30 pm The Best of Gilbert & Sullivan, NGSOC BOH
7.30 pm Princess Ida, NGSOC BOH
10.00 pm Festival Club and Cabaret PG
Saturday 16 August
10.30 am Coffee and Conversation with James Hendry SJC
1.00 pm Classical Pops SJC
2.30 pm The Pirates of Penzance, NGSOC BOH
2.30 pm The Mikado, Grosvenor Light Opera Company PAC
5.00 pm Awards Ceremony PAC
7.30 pm Iolanthe, NGSOC BOH
10.00 pm Festival Club and Cabaret PG
Your typical day at the festival
You can book just one show in the Opera House, or you can immerse yourself in the many daily activities available for visitors. Here is a what typical day at the Festival looks like.
10.30 am Morning talk in St John’s Church
1.00 pm Classical Pops recital in St John’s Church
2.30 pm Matinee performance in the Pavilion Arts Centre, St John’s Church and / or Buxton Opera House
7.30 pm Main performance in Buxton Opera House
10.00 pm Nightly Festival Club until midnight in the Pavilion Gardens
The International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival was founded in 1994 and for the first 20 years was staged in Buxton Opera House. In 2014 the Festival moved to Harrogate, but in 2023 came back to its spiritual home in the beautiful town of Buxton, Derbyshire.
The Festival brings together a wonderful mix of leading amateur groups competing for the prestigious Championship Trophy alongside outstanding professional performances from the Festival’s resident company, The National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company.
Next door to the Opera House, in the Pavilion Arts Centre, is UNIFest, a competition featuring leading British universities – each bringing a fully-staged production accompanied by the UNIFest Orchestra. The Festival Youth Theatre, Harrogate Gilbert & Sullivan Society and the West Yorkshire Savoyards will also perform here.
FAQs
I’ve never been to Buxton Opera House before, what can I expect?
Buxton Opera House is a beautiful theatre and is one of the finest examples of Frank Matcham theatre design.
Where is everything located in the theatre?
Stalls – Ground floor - Small bar, accessible entrance and toilet, two ice cream sales points, merchandise stand, ladies’ and gents’ toilets, and Box Office are all on this level. Dress Circle - First floor - Largest bar, ice cream sales point, ladies’ and gents’ toilets, Matcham Gallery, and the Dress Circle Boxes are all on this level.
Upper Circle - Second floor - Bar area, ladies’ toilets and ice cream sales point Gallery – Third floor (See the seating plan on page 31)
*Please note there are no lifts to the upper floors
Is there an Induction Loop System or Infra-Red Headsets?
There are passive infra-red (PIR) systems in both the Opera House & Pavilion Arts Centre for people with hearing impairments. This works through a special headset rather than your hearing aid and is available from the theatre. Please reserve one when you book your tickets (a £10 cash deposit is required). There is also an induction loop system at both Box Office venues.
Where is the nearest car park?
There is free parking after 6pm in the car park behind Pavilion Gardens, a short walk from both venues (Please note: the covered area of the car park closes at 6pm). There is also free on-street car parking after 6pm close to the theatre, but please make sure that you avoid the Residents Parking Scheme areas.
Will there be a Festival Club after the show?
Yes, we are pleased to advise that the Festival Club will open at 10 pm every evening next door in the Pavilion Gardens. The Festival will have exclusive use of this space and there will be a bar, supper and entertainment through to midnight. Entry is £5.00.
Will there be a G&S shop and Information Desk?
Yes, the Festival will have a portacabin located on the right-hand side of the Opera House. This will be staffed throughout the event. If you have any additional questions, please email sarah@gsfestivals.org.
Festival venues
We will be using several venues during the Festival
Buxton Opera House
Buxton Opera House (901 seats) is our main venue. It is an exquisitely beautiful Edwardian theatre and one of the country’s finest examples of Frank Matcham theatre design. The theatre was lovingly restored to its former glory in 2001.
Pavilion Arts Centre
The Pavilion Arts Centre is our second theatre (next door to the Opera House), and opened in September 2010. It is housed in what was formerly the Paxton Suite of the Pavilion Gardens complex behind the Opera House. UNIFest, the Festival Youth Theatre and other matinees will be staged here.
St John’s Church
St John’s Church, across the road from the Opera House, is the venue for the Festival’s morning talks, Classical Pops, matinee events and the Sunday Service.
The Pavilion Gardens
The Pavilion Gardens is a Grade II listed historic venue which superbly shows off the Victorian splendour of Buxton. During the day, the building offers a shop, restaurant and bar. Outside is the delightful promenade and bandstand and 23 acres of gardens to explore with a boating lake, miniature train and fountains.
Every evening the Festival has exclusive use of the restaurant area for the Festival Club and cabaret after the show in the Opera House. There is a bar and suppers will also be available.
Lee Wood Hotel
The Festival luncheon will take place on Sunday 10 August at the Lee Wood Hotel, just a short walk from the Opera House.
how to book your tickets
It’s all change in 2025!
Now that the Festival is re-established in Buxton, we are making some essential updates to meet the needs of today’s audiences. In recent years, our Priority Draw bookings were managed through our Halifax Office, with reservations later transferred to the Opera House. To streamline the process for our members, all ticket bookings will now be handled directly by the Buxton Opera House Box Office. This change aims to provide a more seamless and efficient booking experience for everyone.
Please note that the Opera House is no longer able to accept cheques. Bookings can be made online, by phone, or in person at the Box Office. Detailed instructions on how to book your tickets can be found on the next page.
Tickets will go on general sale on Wednesday, 5 February 2025, when non-members can also book online, by phone, or in person. We understand this change might be difficult for some of our visitors, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions. Our team is here to help.
Theatre tickets flew out of the door for last year’s Festival, and most shows sold almost all the seats in the stalls and dress circle well before the Festival opened, so we urge you to book early to ensure you get the best seats in the house.
Tickets for Festival performances in Buxton Opera House are available on a priority booking system, first to members of the ‘Friends of the G&S Festival’ and on open sale to non-members from Wednesday, 5 February 2025.
You can join and become a member now and enjoy priority booking and the applicable member discounts through to Tuesday, 4 February 2025. It’s easy to join online at www.gsfestivals.org/friends or by phone - 01422 323252. For information about the membership categories, see page 11.
1. Join as a friend
2. Members can book tickets online or by phone during the periods indicated in the Key Dates section. You will receive a unique booking code to use when booking your tickets with the Opera House
3. Your unique booking code will entitle you to the following discounts: Single Member: £1 discount per show booked (Opera House only) and Joint/ Family Members: £2 discount per show booked (Opera House only).
4. Go online at www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk and book your required tickets, or call the Box Office on 01298 72190
5. Enjoy the show!
Key Dates for Priority Booking for Members
Priority Booking 1
From Wednesday 18 December 2024
Priority Booking opens for Patrons, Life Members and Festival Partners.
Priority Booking 2
From Wednesday 8 January 2025
Priority Booking opens for Benefactors
Priority Booking
3
from Wednesday 22 January 2025 until Tuesday 4 February 2025
Priority Booking opens for Festival Friends
Priority Booking for all members will close on Tuesday 4 February 2025.
Open Sale
From Wednesday, 5 February 2025
It’s a good time to join the friends!
Love the Festival? Love Gilbert & Sullivan?
Now’s the time to join the Festival Family
There has never been a better time to join our charity, The Friends of the G&S Festival.
By becoming a Friend today, you'll not only enjoy Priority Booking at the Opera House and exclusive ticket discounts, but you'll also secure a full year's membership at our current rates—before subscription prices increase in January 2025.
Being a Friend is far more than simply filling in a form or making a donation. You'll become an integral part of the Festival family, whose generous support allows us to plan confidently for the future.
There's no doubt about it: without the Friends, the Festival simply wouldn't be here today.
Your subscription helps fund every aspect of the Festival, from youth programmes and the inspiring Bus Pass Opera to the innovative UNIFest and much more.
Join today from just £35 per year! Visit www.gsfestivals.org and click on the orange 'FRIENDS' button, or call Sarah on 01422 323252.
Together, we can ensure the Festival continues to thrive for generations to come.
“By joining the Friends you not only help to ensure the future of the Festival, but as a member of the festival family, you will be among the first to hear of new developments and also receive ticket booking privileges. And you get to wear the badge”.
TRUSTEE PHILIP BARTON
Charity Number: 1103178
The rewards of being
a Friend FRIEND
Single membership
£35; Joint £50; Family £75
- Priority Draw number 3
- Emails and newsletters with member offers and advance announcements
- Free member activities at the Festival
- Recognition of your support in the Festival Souvenir Programme
BENEFACTOR
Single membership
£100; Joint £150
- Benefactors enjoy all the rewards of a Friend plus
- Priority Draw number 2
- Free Festival Souvenir programme value £10
- Pass for free entry into the Festival Club in Buxton
FESTIVAL PARTNER
Single membership
£350; Joint £500
- Festival Partners enjoy all the rewards of a Benefactor plus
- Priority Draw number 1
- 2 free tickets to the Festival Youth Production
LIFE MEMBER
Single membership
£1000; Joint £1500
- All the benefits of a Benefactor
- Priority Draw number 1
How you can join the fun of the festival
Bus Pass Opera
Over 60 and longing for the spotlight? Seize your chance to shine with the cast of Bus Pass Opera as they bring Gilbert and Sullivan’s hilarious Ruddigore to life at Buxton Opera House on Monday, 11 August. Bus Pass Opera is a firm favourite at the festival and is great fun, too.
Directed by Kevin Gauntlett and with John Hargreaves as musical director, this is your opportunity to be part of something truly special.
Rehearsals kick off in Buxton on Monday, 4 August and will run daily, leading up to the big performance on 11, August. There is a nominal participation fee of £50.
Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out—apply now! Send an email to sarah@gsfestivals.org for detailed information. Applications close on 1 February 2025.
Festival Youth Theatre
Are you aged 9–18 and love performing? The Festival Youth Theatre is a key highlight of the Festival, offering young people the chance to take to the stage. This year’s production of HMS Pinafore will be directed by Rachel Harland, with David Goulden as musical director, and performed at the Pavilion Arts Centre on Saturday, 9 August at 2.30pm.
Rehearsals begin in Buxton on Saturday, 2 August, and no previous experience is required—just enthusiasm and a willingness to get involved. Gilbert & Sullivan is a fantastic introduction to opera and musical theatre, and many young performers return each year, forming lasting friendships along the way.
Auditions for principal roles will take place in Buxton on Sunday, 9 March (1–4 pm) or via DVD/YouTube, but no audition is needed to join the chorus. There is a nominal participation fee of £50 (bursaries are available). For more information and an application form, please email sarah@gsfestivals.org.
Church Service
St John’s Church, Sunday 10 August, 10.30 am
The Festival Church Service has long been regarded as an annual highlight, and last year's service truly exceeded all expectations. The church was filled to capacity, and the atmosphere was one of genuine joy and inspiration, leaving everyone uplifted and enriched.
Looking ahead to 2025, we are delighted to announce that the service will include excerpts from Sir Arthur Sullivan’s Festival Te Deum (1872), composed to celebrate the recovery of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII), from typhoid fever. The programme will also feature other works and hymns performed by St John’s Choir, joined by additional singers from the Gilbert and Sullivan community. Choir members are kindly reminded that attendance at the necessary rehearsals at St John’s is essential.
This event offers a marvellous opportunity to immerse yourself in the spirit of the Festival, and we warmly encourage all choristers to join us.
Rehearsals are scheduled for:
Friday, 8 August – 6.00 pm to 7.15 pm Sunday, 10 August- 9.15 am to 10.00 am
If you would like to join the choir, please send the following information before 30 June 2025 to Sarah Taylor (sarah@gsfestivals.org)
Name
Email address and mobile number
Voice part: Soprano, Alto, Tenor or Bass
Confirmation that you are able to attend both rehearsals
Accommodation Packages - What’s included
Enjoy the 31st International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival at the beautiful Buxton Opera House with our ever-popular accommodation and theatre packages. Simply choose your hotel, select your dates and shows, and we’ll arrange everything for you! It’s a fantastic way to avoid ticket draws and the hassle of dealing directly with hotels. So sit back, relax, and let us handle all the details!
3 NIGHT PACKAGE
• 3 nights bed and breakfast (Lee Wood Hotel includes pre-theatre dinner each evening)
• 3 best theatre tickets in the Opera House (dress circle)
• 1 ticket to a matinee performance in the Pavilion Arts Centre or St John’s Church
• 1 ticket to a morning fringe event
• 1 Classical Pops ticket
• Festival Souvenir Programme
• 3 Festival Club Tickets
• 1 wine reception (Wednesdays or Saturdays) before the evening performance
4 NIGHT PACKAGE
• 4 nights bed and breakfast (Lee Wood Hotel includes pre-theatre dinner each evening)
• 4 best theatre tickets in the Opera House (dress circle)
• 2 tickets to a matinee performance in the Pavilion Arts Centre or St John’s Church
• 2 tickets to a morning fringe event
• 2 Classical Pops tickets
• Festival Souvenir Programme
• 4 Festival Club tickets
• 1 wine reception (Wednesdays or Saturdays) before the evening performance
THE COSTS
Price per person in a twin/double room
7 NIGHT PACKAGE
• 7 nights bed and breakfast (Lee Wood Hotel includes pre-theatre dinner each evening)
• Lee Wood Hotel: Standard room on a Pre-theatre dinner, bed and breakfast basis
• 6 best theatre tickets in the Opera House (dress circle)
• 3 tickets to a matinee performance in the Pavilion Arts Centre or St John’s Church
• 4 tickets to a morning fringe event
• 3 Classical Pops tickets
• Festival Souvenir Programme
• 7 Festival Club tickets
• 2 wine receptions (Wednesday and Saturday) before the evening performance
SINGLE
SUPPLEMENTS
Palace Hotel (Bed & breakfast basis)
Old Hall Hotel (Bed & breakfast basis based on Classic Room)
Lee Wood Hotel (Pre-theatre dinner, bed & breakfast basis)
Palace Hotel
£65 per night
Old Hall
£55 per night
Lee Wood
£50 per night
LEE WOOD HOTEL
the old hall hotel
THE PALACE HOTEL
LEE WOOD HOTEL
We are delighted to have secured rooms at the Best Western Lee Wood Hotel. As the only 4-star hotel in Buxton, the Lee Wood is the perfect choice for your stay during the Festival. Situated only a five-minute walk from the Opera House it is the ideal location. Each room comes with a flat-screen TV with Freeview and a Smart TV Box, so you can make yourself at home by logging into your own apps, such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer. Rooms include a telephone, hairdryer, complimentary toiletries and tea and coffee-making facilities. The accommodation packages in this hotel include a full English breakfast and a three-course pre-theatre dinner in the award-winning Lazy Gardener Restaurant. There is limited availability, so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Car Parking: Complimentary car parking is available to the front and rear of the hotel.
THE OLD HALL HOTEL
The historic Old Hall Hotel, just across from the Pavilion Gardens and the Opera House, is reputed to be the oldest hotel in England. Part of the current building was built by Bess of Hardwick’s 4th husband, the Earl of Shrewsbury, for Mary Queen of Scots when she came to take the waters in Buxton in the 16th Century. Renowned for its originality, The Old Hall has over thirty unique bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom, TV and radio, writing desk, hairdryer, telephone and hospitality tray.
Car Parking: No private parking, but you can use all of the on-street parking spaces immediately in front of, opposite and down the side of the hotel.
THE PALACE HOTEL
Packages in the Palace Hotel are on a bed and breakfast basis and prices are listed in the grid below. You can select any nights you want to stay and choose the shows you wish to see. Since 1868, the Palace Hotel has been an important building in the spa town of Buxton. Situated in over five acres of landscaped gardens, the hotel is a five minute walk (up the hill) from the Opera House. The Palace Hotel has many on-site facilities for guests to enjoy including a health and leisure club (small fee applies) with an indoor pool, gym, spa, sauna and steam rooms. The hotel's spacious en-suite bedrooms have tea and coffee-making facilities, a TV and a hairdryer. Wi-Fi is available free of charge in public areas and there is a 24-hour reception for your convenience.
Car Parking: £5 for 24 hours; 180 parking spaces, 7 disabled spaces.
accommodation packages 2025
THREE NIGHT PACKAGES
Arrive Saturday 2nd August
Depart Tuesday 5th August
Booking Reference
Lee Wood – LW302
Old Hall – OH302
Your Opera House programme includes:
• The Pirates of Penzance (National G&S Opera Co)
• Iolanthe (National G&S Opera Co)
• The Yeomen of the Guard (Godalming Operatic Society)
Arrive Saturday 9th August
Depart Tuesday 12th August
Booking Reference
Lee Wood – LW309
Old Hall – OH309
Your Opera House programme includes:
• Princess Ida (National G&S Opera Co)
• Iolanthe (National G&S Opera Co)
• Ruddigore (Bus Pass Opera)
FOUR NIGHT PACKAGES
Arrive Tuesday 5th August
Depart Saturday 9th August
Booking Reference
Lee Wood – LW405
Old Hall – OH405
Your Opera House programme includes:
• The Pirates of Penzance (New London Opera Group)
• Princess Ida (National G&S Opera Co)
• Patience (Peak Opera)
• The Mikado (Charles Court Opera)
Arrive Tuesday 12th August
Depart Saturday 16th August
Booking Reference
Lee Wood – LW412
Old Hall – OH412
Your Opera House programme includes:
• The Gondoliers (Brussels Light Opera Co)
• The Pirates of Penzance (National G&S Opera Co)
• HMS Pinafore (Savoynet Performing Group)
• Princess Ida (National G&S Opera Co)
SEVEN NIGHT PACKAGES
Arrive Saturday 2nd August
Depart Saturday 9th August
Booking Reference
Lee Wood – LW702 Old Hall – OH702
Your Opera House programme includes:
• The Pirates of Penzance (National G&S Opera Co)
• Iolanthe (National G&S Opera Co)
• The Yeomen of the Guard (Godalming Operatic Society)
• Princess Ida (National G&S Opera Co)
• Patience (Peak Opera)
• The Mikado (Charles Court Opera)
PACKAGES AT THE PALACE HOTEL
Packages at the Palace Hotel are on a bed and breakfast basis and the dates are fully flexible. You can select any nights you want to stay and choose the shows you wish to see.
SEVEN NIGHT PACKAGES
Arrive Saturday 9th August
Depart Saturday 16th August
Booking Reference
Lee Wood – LW709 Old Hall – OH709
Your Opera House programme includes:
• Iolanthe (National G&S Opera Co)
• Ruddigore (Bus Pass Opera)
• The Gondoliers (Brussels Light Opera Co)
• The Pirates of Penzance (National G&S Opera Co)
• HMS Pinafore (Savoynet Performing Group)
• Princess Ida (National G&S Opera Co)
HOW TO BOOK
Complete the enclosed booking form Call Sarah on 01422 323 252 or go online www.gsfestivals.org
Revisiting ida
In 2009, Ian Smith finally plucked up the courage to let me loose on a full-scale G&S production at the Festival. Opera della Luna, by then, had performed in Buxton a number of times and become firm favourites as professional enfants terribles. I suppose for the traditionalists, it was taking something of a risk as our Pirates, Mikado, and Ruddigore were far from standard, and although I personally took the work very seriously, some spectators could be forgiven for calling them “jokey”.
Being in charge of a full-scale show, though, was a completely different undertaking from the work that OdL had been doing. One can never view one’s own work objectively, and whilst I am sure my Princess Ida had my own style about it, it was in no way intended to be an OdL Ida. Nevertheless, I was fortunate in being able to have so many of my own company in the cast: Philip Cox (Gama), Chloe Wright (Ida), Lisa Anne Robinson (Psyche), Vicky Byron (Melissa), Ian Belsey (Arac), and Oliver White and Toby Merz as Hilarion and Cyril – all gorgeous artists with Opera della Luna pedigree.
To this illustrious crew were added three more delights: James Cleverton as Florian, Gareth Jones as Hildebrand, and the rather more daunting prospect of Jill Pert as Lady Blanche. All three proved utterly charming to work with, and no one was more surprised than me when Jill gamely agreed to appear in Act Three with an enormous kettle on her head! One of my happiest memories of Gareth is his astonishment at being called to a rehearsal for dialogue. He turned up as per schedule but was puzzled to find there was no pianist at the rehearsal.
Philip Cox as King Gama [Photo: Roger Cook]
Jill Pert as Lady Blanche [Photo: Roger Cook]
“How can we rehearse without a pianist?” he exclaimed, perplexed. “We’re just doing dialogue”, I explained. “Just doing dialogue? For G&S? That’s unheard of! But it’s surely not going to take two hours?” But it did!
Both Tony Brett (costumes) and Paul Lazell (sets) were also a little wary at first of this new kid on the block. But I must give credit where credit is due: they could not have been more supportive. There was clearly no possibility of bringing in a dedicated designer, so I had to knuckle down and design it all myself. Paul built the tall monolithic slabs I wanted for the set, and out Jackson-Pollocked Jackson Pollock with a wonderful texture of grey and lilac abstract blobs and splatters. It looked terrific.
And for the costumes, I was able to bring in a maker who regularly made my pantomime costumes (Opera della Luna, for many years, produced the Christmas pantomime at Newbury Corn Exchange). Janet McGeown was keen to get more experience in making opera costumes and between us we were able to create something visually stunning and very different from any Ida that had been seen in Buxton, or anywhere else for that matter, before. Those costumes came back to the OdL stores at the end of the show and have hung there ever since, awaiting the moment that is finally upon us: the revival of the production. I am very excited to have been given the chance to revive this production. It remains one of my favourite shows, and I only hope that it is received with as much enthusiasm and joy as it was in 2009
JEFF CLARKE Director Princess Ida
National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company
Gareth Jones as King Hildebrand
[Photo: Roger Cook]
festival adjudicator
Bruce Graham
Festival Adjudicator at the 31st International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival
We are delighted to announce Bruce Graham as the Adjudicator of our 31st Gilbert & Sullivan Festival. Bruce is a familiar face at the Festival ad has performed with the National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company for many years. A highly experienced performer with a long-standing career in Gilbert and Sullivan operas, Bruce brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the works of Gilbert and Sullivan, as well as a deep understanding of the stage. He is delighted to add the role of Festival Adjudicator to his “armoury of wonders”.
In 2025 there will be six companies competing for the prestigious Ian G Smith Festival Champions trophy: Godalming Operatic Society, New London Opera Group, Peak Opera, Brussels Light Opera Company, Bus Pass Opera and The SavoyNet Performing Group. Who will raise the trophy?
Don’t miss the Awards Ceremony on Saturday, 16 August at 5.00 pm.
Bruces’ first professional theatre work was with the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company with whom he toured extensively, playing many of the Gilbert and Sullivan character roles.
Bruce has appeared in eight West End musicals including Me and My Girl, Follies, The Phantom of the Opera, Sunset Boulevard and as Old Deuteronomy in Cats. He has also appeared in a range of pantomimes at venues across London (including The Players’ Theatre at Charing Cross), and at Windsor and Norwich. In 1999, Bruce returned to his first love, Gilbert and Sullivan, and since then has become something of a G&S specialist, having appeared in thousands of performances of Gilbert and Sullivan throughout the world, from Hull and Halifax to New Zealand and Nova Scotia.
DIRECTOR
JOHN savournin
National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company
Iolanthe and The Pirates of Penzance
I’m delighted to be back with the National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company to direct The Pirates of Penzance and Iolanthe - two of my favourites, that are full to the brim with “unmingled joy”! But of course, bringing any theatrical production to life is a serious undertaking – and this is especially true of comic opera - particularly the works of Gilbert & Sullivan.
Victorian operettas were profoundly influenced by pantomime, a vibrant feature of English theatre. Gilbert’s background in pantomime shaped his Savoy Opera libretti, but his ‘topsy-turvy’ plots and laugh-out-loud jokes should never be mistaken for flippancy. Gilbert believed in uncovering truth through comedy. You must believe in the characters and their situation - the beginnings of what we now call ‘situational comedy’ - or ‘sit-com’. And it’s this genuine dedication, combined with razor-sharp wit and Sullivan’s musical brilliance, that gives their work its unique charm. – a masterful blend of biting yet joyful satire and heartfelt drama. It’s why we still love them all with affection unspeakable, as Frederic says in Pirates.
John has been a featured artist at the Gilbert & Sullivan Festival for many years, making his debut at the second festival in 1995 as a child in the chorus of a youth production of The Mikado. He is now considered one of the leading G&S specialists in the UK, working with national companies such as English National Opera, Opera North, Welsh National Opera, Opera Holland Park and Scottish Opera. As Artistic Director of the acclaimed Charles Court Opera, John will present their fabulous production of The Mikado at the Gilbert & Sullivan Festival on Friday, 8 August, marking the company’s 20th year.
Conductor
JOHN ANDREWS
National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company
The Pirates of Penzance and Princess Ida
It’s going to be very special to come back to the Festival and be reunited with John Savournin on The Pirates of Penzance. We first did it together in 2015 and it turned out to be the first of many joyful collaborations. It’s such a perfect piece of satire, being both completely rooted in its own time and simultaneously speaking to the follies of the ages. The taut drama and spectacularly colourful cast of characters make it a show that bursts into life with a uniquely infectious energy.
My association with Jeff Clarke goes back all the way to 2004 and Offenbach’s acerbic but warm-hearted romantic comedy Robinson Crusoe. Having reunited with him on Utopia Ltd in 2022, I’m really looking forward to reviving his classic production of one of Sullivan’s most luscious scores.
John Andrews has conducted many of the UK’s leading orchestras and ensembles, including the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Concert Orchestra, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the BBC Singers, BBC Philharmonic, The Orchestra of Scottish Opera, The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and the Manchester Camerata.
He has won the BBC Music Magazine Award three times and has gained a formidable reputation for bringing neglected masterpieces back to public attention.
John has made over twenty recordings and appears regularly with the BBC Concert Orchestra and at the English Music Festival. He has conducted over forty operas for The Grange Festival, Opera Holland Park, English Touring Opera, Garsington Opera, Buxton International Festival and the Volkstheater Rostock.
Conductor
JAMES HENDRY
National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company
Iolanthe and The Best of Gilbert & Sullivan
After a long association with the Festival and the National G&S Opera Company, I am thrilled to be named as Musical Director for the upcoming season. I look forward to bringing my experience from my continuing work in Europe, alongside my love for the Gilbert and Sullivan Operas, to take a more active role in ensuring a bright future for the Festival.
I am always amazed by the work that happens behind the scenes by the team in Halifax to make sure that everything comes together. After conducting the Opera Company at last year’s Festival, I was simply astonished by what they can achieve!
I am very much looking forward to revisiting Iolanthe, one of Sullivan’s best scores and I can’t wait to see everyone in Buxton for another great Festival.
James Hendry stands at the forefront of young British conductors. Most recently First Kapellmeister at Staatsoper Hannover, the 2024/25 season sees him conduct Verdi’s Don Carlo for the Finnish National Opera and Ballet, Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro at the Royal Swedish Opera, and Puccini’s Tosca in a return to Staatsoper Hannover, among others. In previous seasons, Hendry has worked at Opéra National de Lyon (Offenbach’s BarbeBleue), and on numerous productions at Royal Opera House Covent Garden, including Oreste, Der Rosenkavalier, Adriana Lecouvreur, Hänsel und Gretel and Turandot. Other engagements include English National Opera (Lucia di Lammermoor), Oper Frankfurt (Don Giovanni), Luzerner Theater (Revue des Follies) and Opera North (The Marriage of Figaro). A keen symphonic conductor, recent seasons feature the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchester der Tiroler Festspiele Erl, Southbank Sinfonia, the Orchestra of Opera North and the Niedersächsisches Jugendsinfonieorchester.
The National festival orchestra
The National Festival Orchestra accompanies all the performances in Buxton Opera House and has played at every festival since the first in 1994. Orchestra leader Sally Robinson is proud of its achievements and the outstanding reviews they have received.
Based in the north of England, NFO has built up a reputation for compelling performances across various genres– from symphonic and operatic repertoire to the world of West End and Broadway shows.
Singing from the gallery
You can experience the Festival’s special feature “Singing from the Gallery” every Saturday evening before the show. The audience is the chorus and this is your chance if you enjoy a jolly good singalong. But don’t worry if you don’t know the words or don’t want to sing – just soak up the unique atmosphere.
Please ensure you are in your seat by 7.10 pm!
Cruise THE RHINE
MS
Elegant Lady 25 March – 1 April, 2025
Our fabulous new cruise begins and ends in Cologne, one of Germany’s oldest cities, known for its majestic cathedral, vibrant cultural scene and picturesque riverside promenades.
The journey down the Rhine River is a voyage through time, revealing beautiful medieval castles, vineyard-clad hills and quaint villages. Each bend in the river brings a new vista and a new story to discover.
We will enjoy a fantastic selection of tours, including wine tastings, the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Museum and aweinspiring cathedrals.
This outstanding cruise will include stops in Rüdesheim, Wiesbaden, Speyer, Strasbourg, Basel, Worms and Mainz.
Our wonderful, professional entertainers will perform every evening. And, of course, guests will also have an opportunity to sing and join our TA choir rehearsals along the way.
Bring a group to the festival
The Festival is a wonderful opportunity for groups of ten or more to enjoy an afternoon or evening of great entertainment, with some excellent discounts and prime seats.
Most of our groups love attending the professional matinee or evening performances by the National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company and Charles Court Opera. This year’s programme includes The Pirates of Penzance, Iolanthe, Princess Ida, and a fresh take on The Mikado.
There’s plenty more to enjoy as well, such as Bus Pass Opera’s Ruddigore (featuring senior performers) and an international cast, Brussels Light Opera Company performing The Gondoliers.
Tickets for the National Gilbert & Sullivan productions range from £29 to £45 (before group discounts), while tickets for competing shows are between £22 and £35.
We can hold seats for your group until a set date with no deposit required and no cancellation fees. If you would like a private pre-theatre talk about the show, we can arrange that too. So, if your church, WI, U3A or indeed any group of 10 or more people would like to visit, please get in touch.
GROUP DISCOUNTS
Book 10-29 seats and enjoy a 10% discount or 30+seats for a 15% discount. For more information call Sarah on 01422 323252 or email sarah@gsfestivals.org
Unifest competition
UNIFest is an integral part of the annual International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival, offering a platform for universitybased Gilbert and Sullivan societies to showcase their talents. Established to inspire a love for the works of W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan among younger generations, UNIFest has become a cornerstone of the Festival’s dedication to nurturing emerging talent and securing the future of Gilbert & Sullivan.
Each year, leading UK universities present full-scale productions of Gilbert and Sullivan operas, competing for the prestigious Gertrude Marsh–Looi Award and other accolades. These performances take place at the Pavilion Arts Centre next door to the Opera House.
UNIFest productions are always lively and creative, brimming with the energy and imagination that reflect the dynamic spirit of university theatre. We warmly encourage you to attend and support these talented young performers— they represent the future of Gilbert & Sullivan.
In 2025, the UNIFest competition will feature entries from the Universities of York, Birmingham, Southampton, Durham, and Oxford.
We are delighted to welcome back Stephen Turnbull, Secretary of the Sir Arthur Sullivan Society as UNIFest Adjudicator.
Don’t forget the festival fringe
There is never a dull moment at the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival, and our jam-packed fringe programme ensures there is something to do morning, noon, and night.
Every morning during the Festival, there will be talks about all things G&S at St John’s Church (across the road behind the Opera House).
Look out for Stephen Turnbull’s “An Introduction to…” talks. These very popular talks are a great introduction to the National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company performances taking place later that day.
Make sure you don’t miss the lunchtime Classical Pops with our talented singers. This is a wonderful way to enjoy forty minutes of relaxation and enjoyable entertainment. This year, we have the added treat of a performance of The Zoo performed by The SavoyNet Performing Group (Wednesday, 13 August).
And at 2.30 pm there will be matinee performances or concerts in the Pavilion Arts Centre or St John’s Church. One of last year’s highlights was the sell-out Flanders & Swann with Donald Maxwell and Christopher Milton. If you missed out on tickets last year, you can catch it again on Wednesday, 13 August.
Cruise THE VENETIAN CANALS
MS Michelangelo 3 - 9 October, 2025
Join us on a new and fantastic Theatrical Adventure from Mantua to Venice and enjoy a unique cruise through the heart of three Italian regions – Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy and Veneto. Experience serene landscapes, breathtaking panoramas and historic sites along the way as we sail towards Venice and its fabulous hidden treasures.
Our outstanding opera singers and Musical Director will entertain us every evening throughout this fantastic holiday.
A river cruise from Mantua to Venice is more than just a journey; it’s an immersive experience into the heart of Italian culture, history, and natural beauty and an unforgettable adventure that captures the essence of Italy’s enduring allure.
Pavilion arts centre seating plan
ORCHESTRA
Buxton Opera House
UPPERCIRCLESIDES SIDESCIRCLEUPPER
WHEELCHAIRS
SATURDAY 2 AUGUST
2.30 pm and 7.30 pm
The Pirates of Penzance
Day by day at the G&S Festival
National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company
Buxton Opera House, Tickets £29-£45
We are delighted to launch the 31st International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival with a brand-new production of the timeless classic The Pirates of Penzance. Directed by John Savournin and featuring Simon Butteriss as the Major-General, this promises to be an evening of outstanding entertainment and uproarious comedy.
The Pirates of Penzance is filled with witty dialogue, catchy melodies, and whimsical characters. It tells the tale of Frederic, a young pirate apprentice, and his adventures with a band of tender-hearted pirates, a spirited heroine, and an eccentric Major-General. This much-loved favourite offers humour, romance, and dazzling musical entertainment.
Singing from the Gallery
Every Saturday evening, ‘Singing from the Gallery’ will be held in the Opera House. Please be seated by 7.10 pm to join in and soak up the unique Festival atmosphere. This delightful tradition originated during the opening nights of new Gilbert & Sullivan productions.
10.00 pm to midnight
Festival Club and Cabaret
Pavilion Gardens
£5
Join us next door to the Opera House for late-night entertainment, bar and supper.
SUNDAY 3 AUGUST
Day by day at the G&S Festival
10.30 am
An Introduction to Iolanthe Palace Hotel, Tickets £8.50
Stephen Turnbull, Secretary of the Sir Arthur Sullivan Society, presents an introduction to Iolanthe—perfectly timed for today’s performances.
1.00 pm
Classical Pops, St John’s Church, Tickets £10
Sit back and enjoy as our outstanding classical singers captivate and delight you.
2.30 pm and 7.30 pm
Iolanthe
National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company
Buxton Opera House, Tickets £29-£45
The National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company present Iolanthe, a sparkling satire blending politics and fairy tale magic, directed by John Savournin. With its enchanting score and witty libretto, this classic operetta promises an evening of laughter and delight. Join us for a spellbinding production filled with fairies, peers, and enduring charm.
Iolanthe is a much-loved operetta blending fantasy and satire. It follows Strephon, a half-mortal shepherd, whose fairy mother, Iolanthe, was banished for marrying a mortal. Fairies clash with bumbling peers of the British Parliament as love, law, and politics intertwine. Don’t miss this theatrical gem, perfect for audiences of all ages!
10.00 pm to midnight
Festival Club and Cabaret
Pavilion Gardens
£5
Join us next door to the Opera House for late-night entertainment, bar and supper.
MONDAY 4 AUGUST
Day by day at the G&S Festival
An Introduction to The Yeomen of the Guard
St John’s Church, Tickets £8.50
Stephen Turnbull, Secretary of the Sir Arthur Sullivan Society, presents an Introduction to The Yeomen of the Guard to prepare us for today’s performances by Godalming Operatic Society.
1.00 pm
Classical Pops, St John’s Church, Tickets £10
2.30 pm
HMS Pinafore, Harrogate Gilbert & Sullivan Society
Pavilion Arts Centre, Tickets £16.50
Harrogate G&S Society sail back in to Buxton with their new production of HMS Pinafore. The pompous Sir Joseph Porter arrives with plans to marry Josephine, the Captain’s daughter. But she has other ideas and is soon plotting to elope with lowly sailor Ralph Rackstraw. Enjoy a hilarious afternoon’s entertainment.
7.30 pm
The Yeomen of the Guard, Godalming Operatic Society
Buxton Opera House, Tickets £22-£35
Set against the imposing backdrop of the Tower of London, The Yeomen of the Guard tells the story of two strolling players, Elsie Maynard and Jack Point. Little do they know that their arrival will lead them into a world of love, heartbreak, and tragedy. Featuring a score widely regarded as Sullivan’s finest, the songs are an absolute delight.
10.00 pm to midnight
Festival Club and Cabaret
Pavilion Gardens
£5
Join us next door to the Opera House for late-night entertainment, bar and supper.
TUESDAY 5 AUGUST
10.30 am
In Conversation with John Andrews St John’s Church, Tickets £8.50
Day by day at the G&S Festival
Enjoy coffee and conversation with this year’s National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company’s conductor of Princess Ida and The Pirates of Penzance.
1.00 pm
Classical Pops, St John’s Church, Tickets £10
Sit back and enjoy as our outstanding classical singers captivate and delight you.
2.30 pm
Iolanthe, University of Southampton Light Opera Society (LOpSoc)
Pavilion Arts Centre, Tickets £16.50
Our first UNIFest show of the season. LopSoc has performed at the Festival for many years and won numerous awards, including UNIFest champions. Come along and see this new production of Iolanthe and be prepared for anything! It will be great fun.
10.00 pm to midnight
7.30 pm
The Pirates of Penzance, The New London Opera Group Buxton Opera House, Tickets £22-£35
Enjoy a great evening’s entertainment with all-time favourite The Pirates of Penzance. The Pirates of Penzance takes us to the Cornish coast where we meet our dashing Pirate King, the Major General and his troupe of jolly daughters and a band of bungling British bobbies. Madcap schemes and absurd adventures abound!
Founded in 2003, The New London Opera Group (newLOG) is a not-for-profit company dedicated to producing high quality productions in London and on tour. Besides the Savoy Operas of Gilbert and Sullivan, newLOG specialises in concert performances of lesser-known operatic gems.
Festival Club and Cabaret
Pavilion Gardens
£5
Join us next door to the Opera House for late-night entertainment, bar and supper.
WEDNESDAY
6 AUGUST
10.30 am
An Introduction to Princess Ida Palace Hotel, Tickets £8.50
Day by day at the G&S Festival
Stephen Turnbull, Secretary of the Sir Arthur Sullivan Society, presents an Introduction to Princess Ida to prepare us for today’s performances by the National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company.
1.00 pm
The Zoo, SavoyNet Performing Group
St John’s Church, Tickets £10
The Zoo composed by Arthur Sullivan with a libretto by B.C. Stephenson, is a delightful one-act operetta first performed in 1875. Set in a London zoo, it combines romantic misunderstandings and comedic chaos with Sullivan’s signature melodies.
2.30 pm
Hobson’s Choice, North West Productions Pavilion Arts Centre, Tickets £16.50
And now for something completely different! Hobson’s Choice by Harold Brighouse is a comedy set in 19th-century Salford. The play humorously explores themes of independence, class, and family.
10.00 pm to midnight
2.30 pm and 7.30 pm
Princess Ida, National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company Buxton Opera House, Tickets £29-£45
In 2009, the Festival presented Princess Ida. This marvellous production, directed by Jeff Clarke, was nothing short of spectacular and has gone down in Festival history as one of the finest (if not the finest) productions we have ever staged. With its striking black-and-white costumes set against a dramatic backdrop, it offered truly outstanding entertainment. Princess Ida is brimming with wit, satire, and enchanting melodies. Read Jeff’s article about ‘Reviving Princess Ida” on page 20
Festival Club and Cabaret
Pavilion Gardens
£5
Join us next door to the Opera House for late-night entertainment, bar and supper.
THURSDAY 7 AUGUST
Day by day at the G&S Festival
10.30 am
In Conversation with Jeff Clarke
St John’s Church, Tickets £8.50
Meet Jeff Clarke, the director of the National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company’s production of Princess Ida and the Artistic Director of Opera della Luna since 1994. Jeff’s distinguished career in music has included working for the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Sydney Opera House, Scottish Opera, Lyric Opera of Queensland, and the State Opera of South Australia. Discover Jeff’s fascinating life and learn all about this year’s unmissable Festival highlight – Princess Ida.
1.00 pm
Classical Pops, St John’s Church, Tickets £10
2.30 pm
Ruddigore, West Yorkshire Savoyards
Pavilion Arts Centre, Tickets £16.50
The West Yorkshire Savoyards mark their 50th anniversary in 2025 with a return to the Festival, presenting a special performance of their touring production, Ruddigore, directed by Graham Weston. Festival founder Ian Smith, who also served as the first chairman of the Savoyards Appreciation Society, West Yorkshire, played a pivotal role in establishing the group. Given the Society’s significant contributions during the Festival’s early years, their return feels particularly fitting.
10.00 pm to midnight
7.30 pm
Patience, Peak Opera
Buxton Opera House, Tickets £22-£35
Peak Opera was founded in 2005 to perform at the Festival in Buxton and we are delighted to welcome them back twenty years later with a brand-new production of Patience. Languid poets, drooping, sighing maidens and manly dragoons make for hilarious entertainment. Don’t miss it!
Festival Club and Cabaret
Pavilion Gardens
£5
Join us next door to the Opera House for late-night entertainment, bar and supper.
FRIDAY 8 AUGUST
Day by day at the G&S Festival
10.30 am
Frederic Sullivan and how he came to be a Judge!
Elaine Richardson, Chairman of the Sir Arthur Sullivan Society
St John’s Church, Tickets £8.50
To celebrate the 150th year since the first performance of Trial by Jury on 25th March 1875, Elaine Richardson explores the life of Frederic Sullivan, the original judge. Very little has been written about Fred - Sir Arthur Sullivan’s elder brother. Elaine brings his fascinating story to us, including his relationship with Arthur.
1.00 pm
Classical Pops, St John’s Church, Tickets £10
2.30 pm
The Pirates of Penzance, University of Birmingham G&S Society Pavilion Arts Centre, Tickets £16.50
Join Birmingham University for a fabulous afternoon of Pirates and Policemen! This timeless much-loved operetta never fails to charm and delight.
2.30 pm and 7.30 pm
The Mikado, Charles Court Opera Buxton Opera House, Tickets £29-£45
The “masters of G&S”, Charles Court Opera, present their critically acclaimed 5-star production of one of the most loved of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operas, The Mikado, for the very first time in Buxton.
Behind closed doors at the British Consulate in the town of Titipu, Japan, the scheming, slippery Lord High Executioner is about to hatch one plot too far, with far-reaching and hilarious consequences for everyone involved, especially when the Mikado himself arrives…
This is one production you do not want to miss!
10.00 pm to midnight
Festival Club and Cabaret
Pavilion Gardens
£5
Join us next door to the Opera House for late-night entertainment, bar and supper.
SATURDAY 9 AUGUST
Day by day at the G&S Festival
10.00 – 4.00 pm
Memorabilia Fair, Octagon Foyer
Discover a treasure trove of collectables! Meet fellow enthusiasts and browse a wide range of Gilbert & Sullivan memorabilia, including books, sheet music, china, vintage recordings, and much more. To exhibit please email sarah@gsfestivals.org
10.30 am
A Source of Innocent Merriment, Prof Ian Bradley
St John’s Church, Tickets £8.50
Prof Ian Bradley explores the collaboration of Gilbert & Sullivan, describing their contrasting backgrounds and characters, analysing their impact and innovations and charting their legacy.
1.00 pm
Classical Pops, St John’s Church, Tickets £10
2.30 pm
HMS Pinafore, Festival Youth Theatre
Pavilion Arts Centre, Tickets £16.50
10.00 pm to midnight
Festival Club and Cabaret
Pavilion Gardens
£5
2.30 pm
The Pirates of Penzance,
National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company
Buxton Opera House, Tickets £29-£45
Another opportunity to see this much-loved favourite.
7.30 pm
Princess Ida
National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company
Buxton Opera House, Tickets £29-£45
A classic. Don’t miss it!
ALSO SINGING FROM GALLERY 7.10pm
Join us next door to the Opera House for late-night entertainment, bar and supper.
Cruise THE SEINE
MS Seine Princess 17 - 22 May, 2025
Join us on an enchanting cruise along the Seine, one of Europe’s most beautiful rivers. We depart from Paris and cruise through Normandy on a captivating journey through landscapes that have inspired countless artists and poets across the centuries.
And no cruise along the Seine would be complete without a visit to the stunning Monet gardens at Giverny and the charming port town of Honfleur, renowned for its picturesque Old Harbour and quaint, narrow houses.
Our outstanding opera singers and onboard string quartet will entertain us every evening throughout this fantastic holiday. Guests will be able to sing and join our Theatrical Adventures choir rehearsals along the way.
SUNDAY 10 AUGUST
Day by day at the G&S Festival
10.30 am
Festival Church Service
St John’s Church
For more information about how to join the church choir, please see page 13
12.30 pm
Festival Lunch at the Lee Wood Hotel, Tickets £58
Enjoy a delicious three-course lunch, including a glass of wine and coffee and some great entertainment. There will be time to get to the theatre for the matinee performance. The Festival lunch is always a highlight.
1.00 pm
Classical Pops, St John’s Church, Tickets £10
Sit back and enjoy as our outstanding classical singers captivate and delight you.
10.00 pm to midnight
Festival Club and Cabaret
Pavilion Gardens
£5
2.30 pm
Princess Ida
National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company
Buxton Opera House, Tickets £29-£45
Don’t miss it!
7.30 pm
Iolanthe
National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company
Buxton Opera House, Tickets £29-£45
Fairies, magic and mayhem! What could be better?
Join us next door to the Opera House for late-night entertainment, bar and supper.
MONDAY 11 AUGUST
10.30 am
The Sound of Music, Prof Ian Bradley
St John’s Church, Tickets £8.50
Sixty years on from the release of the film version of The Sound of Music, Prof Ian Bradley looks at how Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein are the direct heirs and successors of Gilbert and Sullivan and reveals hitherto unknown facts about the creation of their ever-popular musical.
1.00 pm
Classical Pops, St John’s Church, Tickets £10
2.30 pm
Iolanthe, Durham Opera Ensemble
Pavilion Arts Centre, Tickets £16.50
More fairy mayhem from Durham University. We are delighted to welcome Durham Opera Ensemble to Buxton and hope this will be the first of many visits
10.00 pm to midnight
7.30 pm
Ruddigore, Bus Pass Opera
Buxton Opera House, Tickets £22-£35
Bus Pass Opera, founded exclusively for the over-60s, has firmly established itself as a much-loved highlight of the Festival. Don’t miss this year’s hilarious production of Ruddigore, directed by Kevin Gauntlett—and be sure to book early to avoid disappointment!
Ruddigore parodies melodrama through the tale of Robin Oakapple, a timid farmer harbouring a dark secret. He’s really Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd, heir to a cursed baronetcy requiring him to commit daily crimes. The plot unravels with mistaken identities, ghostly ancestors enforcing the curse, and clever loopholes, leading to love and redemption.
Festival Club and Cabaret
Pavilion Gardens
£5
Join us next door to the Opera House for late-night entertainment, bar and supper.
TUESDAY 12 AUGUST
Day by day at the G&S Festival
10.30 am
150 Years of Trial by Jury, David Wilmore
St John’s Church, Tickets £8.50
In 2025, Trial by Jury celebrates its 150th anniversary as a cherished classic. First performed in 1875, it hilariously lampoons the British legal system with wit and charm.
1.00 pm
Come and Sing Trial by Jury! , St John’s Church, Tickets £10
Come and celebrate the 150th anniversary of Trial by Jury today with big sing concert in St John’s where the audience are the chorus along with our principals.
2.30 pm
Mr Jericho and Old Sarah, Jam Factory Opera
Pavilion Arts Centre, Tickets £16.50
Jam Factory Productions (formerly The Lyra Players) return to the Festival with a hilarious double bill of little-known Savoy curtain raisers. In Mr Jericho, the impoverished Earl of Margate and his son live in disguise, with the latter working as an omnibus driver, until an ‘accident with the bus’ begins a series of chance meetings that could change their fortunes forever. Old Sarah takes us to the seaside town of Dullport for a suitably Gilbertian tale, as tax collector Archibald Jones struggles to reconcile his love for smuggler’s daughter Margery with his duty to turn her father over to the Inland Revenue.
7.30 pm
The Gondoliers, Brussels Light Opera Company
Buxton Opera House, Tickets £22-£35
In 2025, BLOC celebrates its 50th Anniversary, and performing The Gondoliers in Buxton will be the cherry on top of its anniversary cake! Stage Directors Angela and Tony Lowe are up dating The Gondoliers by 200 years - taking it out of its original 1750 time period and setting it in the 1950s. BLOC’s Marco and Giuseppe might find listening to the hit parade on their transistor radios more enjoyable than attempting to perform a stately gavotte, and Gianetta and Tessa might be rocking around the clock, but Gilbert’s wit and Sullivan’s beautiful music will shine through.
10.00 pm to midnight
Festival Club and Cabaret
Pavilion Gardens
£5
Join us next door to the Opera House for late-night entertainment, bar and supper.
WEDNESDAY 13 AUGUST
Day by day at the G&S Festival
10.30 am
An Introduction to The Pirates of Penzance, Stephen Turnbull
St John’s Church Tickets, £8.50
If you thought you knew everything about The Pirates of Penzance think again!
1.00 pm
Classical Pops, St John’s Church, Tickets £10
Sit back and enjoy as our outstanding classical singers captivate and delight you.
2.30 pm
Flanders and Swann with Donald Maxwell and Christopher Milton
Pavilion Arts Centre, Tickets £16.50
Last year was a sell-out!
Join us for an afternoon of music, mirth, and merriment as Donald Maxwell and Chris Milton entertain. Michael Flanders and Donald Swann were icons of the 1950s and 1960s, delighting audiences with their hilarious songs, including Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud (The Hippopotamus Song), The Gnu Song, and The Gasman Cometh.
2.30 pm Iolanthe
National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company
Buxton Opera House, Tickets £29-£45
7.30 pm
The Pirates of Penzance
National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company
Buxton Opera House, Tickets £29-£45
10.00 pm to midnight
Festival Club and Cabaret
Pavilion Gardens
£5
Join us next door to the Opera House for late-night entertainment, bar and supper.
THURSDAY 14 AUGUST
Day by day at the G&S Festival
10.30 am
And I can’t think why!’: the curious return of Milton & Butler-Gallie
St John’s Church, Tickets £8.50
It’s always great fun with Chris Milton and Fergus Butler-Gallie. Don’t miss it.
1.00 pm
Classical Pops, St John’s Church, Tickets £10
Sit back and enjoy as our outstanding classical singers captivate and delight you.
2.30 pm
Iolanthe, University of York G&S Society
Pavilion Arts Centre, Tickets £16.50
UNIFest productions are anything but ordinary! Expect a dazzling display of creativity, boundless energy, and great fun. The University of York G&S Society invites you to join them for a fabulous afternoon’s entertainment.
7.30 pm
HMS Pinafore
SavoyNet performing Group
Buxton Opera House, Tickets £22-£35
HMS Pinafore, is a witty tale of love and social class aboard a Royal Navy ship. Featuring lively songs and satirical humour, it follows the romance between sailor Ralph Rackstraw and captain’s daughter Josephine, challenging societal norms. HMS Pinafore is timeless, entertaining, and delightfully charming.
10.00 pm to midnight
Festival Club and Cabaret
Pavilion Gardens
£5
Join us next door to the Opera House for late-night entertainment, bar and supper.
FRIDAY 15 AUGUST
Day by day at the G&S Festival
10.30 am
Church Bell Ringing for Beginners, Lindsay Whitham
St John’s Church
Tickets £8.50
Ring Forth Ye Bells! Join Lindsay for an engaging introduction to the timeless art of church bell ringing. This fascinating talk delves into the basics of a tradition steeped in history and charm, revealing secrets we’ve all longed to uncover.
1.00 pm
Classical Pops, St John’s Church, Tickets £10
Sit back and enjoy as our outstanding classical singers captivate and delight you.
2.30 pm
The Grand Duke, Oxford University G&S
Pavilion Arts Centre, Tickets £16.50
We are delighted to welcome Oxford University to UNIFest with their production of The Grand Duke. The Grand Duke, the final collaboration between Gilbert and Sullivan, is set in the fictional German state of Pfennig Halbpfennig. This is a unique opportunity to see this rarely-performed gem.
2.30 pm
The Best of Gilbert & Sullivan, National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company
Buxton Opera House, Tickets £29-£45
Conducted by Festival favourite James Hendry, this spectacular concert promises an unforgettable evening of music and charm. Featuring four principal singers from the renowned Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company, it celebrates the very best songs from the operas. A must-see event for music lovers – don’t miss it!
10.00 pm to midnight
Festival Club and Cabaret
Pavilion Gardens
£5
7.30 pm
Princess Ida, National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company
Buxton Opera House, Tickets £29-£45
Don’t miss your final chance to experience this fantastic production in Buxton!
Join us next door to the Opera House for late-night entertainment, bar and supper.
SATURDAY 16 AUGUST
Day by day at the G&S Festival
10.30 am
Coffee and Conversation with James Hendry, St John’s Church Tickets £8.50
Join Festival Musical Director and NGSOC Iolanthe conductor, James Hendry. A familiar face at the Festival, James has established an outstanding career in music. Come along and learn about his fascinating life.
1.00 pm
Classical Pops, St John’s Church, Tickets £10
Sit back and enjoy as our outstanding classical singers captivate and delight you.
2.30 pm
The Mikado, Grosvenor Light Opera Company
Pavilion Arts Centre, Tickets £16.50
We are delighted to welcome GLOC back to Buxton with our all-time favourite, The Mikado.
2.30 pm
The Pirates of Penzance, National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company
Buxton Opera House, Tickets £29-£45
The final opportunity to see this swashbuckling, fun-filled production in Buxton.
5.00 pm
Awards Ceremony
Pavilion Arts Centre
Who will lift the Ian G Smith Champions Trophy this year?
7.30 pm
Iolanthe, National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company
Buxton Opera House, Tickets £29-£45
We bring our 31st Festival to a close with the enchanting Iolanthe. Join us for a magical finale as we celebrate another unforgettable year of fantastic Gilbert & Sullivan.
10.00 pm to midnight
Festival Club and Cabaret
Pavilion Gardens FREE
We say goodbye until next year!
Let us fly to a far off land
Theatrical Adventures, the sister company of our Festival, started many years ago with the aim of offering complete Festival packages, including accommodation and theatre tickets, so our visitors could relax and enjoy their trip without lifting a finger.
Over time, the company blossomed into a highly successful tour operator, offering river cruises along some of Europe’s most breath-taking waterways—and beyond. Every evening, our guests are treated to performances by our professional opera singers from the National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company, with some cruises even featuring a live orchestra onboard!
Our directors personally accompany every cruise, ensuring that each passenger has a delightful and worry-free experience. Solo travellers, worry not! We make it a point to offer cabins with minimal single supplement fees. We understand the frustration and strive to provide our single travellers with the best possible value.
One of the unique joys of a Theatrical Adventures cruise is the lasting friendships that are formed. Many of our guests return year after year, reuniting on cruises and at the Festival, creating a warm and happy atmosphere. The relaxed, friendly spirit of the Festival is carried over to every voyage.
Our passengers are an absolute delight and great company. Sailing along the river with like-minded individuals feels like a more peaceful, floating version of the Festival. We charter the entire ship, ensuring that every moment on board is one to remember.
Join the Cash Bonanza Lottery! Win Amazing Prizes
and Support the Festival!
Exciting news for all G&S enthusiasts! You could strike it lucky in the Giant Cash Bonanza draws, winning cash prizes ranging from £10 to an incredible £10,000. And what makes the lottery unique is that over 60 percent of your donation (£1.22 of every £2) goes directly to support the Friends of the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival (Charity number 1103178).
GRAND PRIZES AWAIT: FOUR SUPERDRAWS, DRAWN EACH QUARTER:
1 x £10,000 drawn at the end of March
1 x £5,000 drawn at the end of June
1 x £10,000 drawn at the end of September
WEEKLY PRIZES INCLUDE:
1 x £1,000; 4 x £25; 26 x £10
But that’s not all! Festival supporters are also eligible for a special monthly draw featuring fantastic prizes such as free tickets, a GSOpera Streaming membership, and even a cabin on one of our Theatrical Adventures cruises!
Sign up online today, for only £2 a week at: www.giantcashbonanza. online/gsfestival/ and click on the ‘Join’ tab. For more information please email: admin@cashbonanzaclub.co.uk or call: 01484 484130.
With fabulous prizes, incredible odds and the income generated going to support the G&S Festival, it’s all to play for.
Thank you for your support!
Christmas
just around the corner
All the productions from this year’s Festival (and every Festival since 1998 come to that!) are available to buy on DVD, so if you missed a show or want to see one again, you can order it here. The special box sets are great value too. You can buy online at shop.gsfestivals.org or by phone 01422 323252 or complete the enclosed order form on page 50.
NATIONAL GILBERT & SULLIVAN OPERA COMPANY 2024 SEASON
DVDs - £21/Blu-Ray £25.99 Box Set – All three DVDs - £55/Blu-Ray - £70
The 2024 National G&S Opera Company – The Pirates of Penzance
The 2024 National G&S Opera Company – The Gondoliers
The 2024 National G&S Opera Company – HMS Pinafore & Trial by Jury The Yeomen of
OUR FESTIVAL SHOP
CHRISTMAS CARDS
Pack of six card with six envelopes
1. Christmas Cards £6 each or any 3 packs for £15
Gilbert & Sullivan Christmas Cards
2. G&S Christmas Tree Card
3. “Life’s a pudding full of plums” Christmas Cards
4. Christmas Card G&S Wreath
SWEATSHIRTS AND POLO SHIRTS
Our sweatshirts and polo shirts are available in Small, Medium, Large, XLarge and XXLarge .
Cruise Croatia and Montenegro
From £2195 per person
Cruise CROATIA and MONTENEGRO
The Pearl of the Adriatic · August 21st 2025 - August 28th 2025
For the first time in over 10 years, Theatrical Adventures is taking to the sea on a spectacular new cruise along the Croatian coast.
We have secured a limited number of cabins onboard the Belle de l’Adriatique, a boutique cruise ship with just 99 cabins and we will have exclusive use of the Pianorama bar at the stern of the ship for our evening entertainment.
This cruise offers a glimpse into the historic shifts in power that have shaped the country’s diverse architecture and unique cultural identity.
Pula’s cobbled streets and large amphitheatre pay tribute to the town’s
Roman architectural legacy. The Dalmatian Coast showcases Venetian style and architecture. Austro-Hungarian elements blend seamlessly with Mediterranean influence on the island of Lošinj, which served as a wellness resort under the empire in the 19th century.
Cities like Zadar blend it’s unique Venetian and Romanesque history with modern innovations, such as the famous Sea Organ and Monument to the Sun – utilising nature to create pieces of art. Krk showcases a rich tapestry of historic influence from the Romans, Byzantines and Venetians.
On our penultimate day, we will visit The Bay of Kotor in Montenegro where we can enjoy a guided tour around this mediaeval town and soak up the extraordinary views of this
unique region.
This cruise will be accompanied by cruise directors from Theatrical Adventures and our spectacular soloists and a musical director. All excursions will be led by English speaking guides using audio devices. This cruise is all inclusive – all tours listed in the itinerary are included, as are all meals from dinner on the first night, through to breakfast on the final morning and all drinks are included (apart from any on the special list). We will have our own Theatrical Adventures tables in the restaurant to ensure all meals are enjoyed together as a group.
As we are only taking a part-charter on this cruise we can only travel with 40 guests, so be sure to book early to avoid disappointment.
