Cruise THE RHINE
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 Rudesheim, 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.
DIDN’T WE HAVE A LOVELY TIME!
Dear Festival Friend, If you were able to join us in Buxton for our 30th International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival this summer, we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did! We had a truly wonderful fortnight, reconnecting with old friends, making new ones, and, of course, enjoying superb entertainment day in and day out.
Our resident professionals, the National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company, surpassed themselves with four outstanding productions. We were also treated to two hilarious performances of The Sorcerer by Festival favourites Charles Court Opera, who will return to Buxton in 2025 with their fabulous production of The Mikado. And there was so much more to enjoy.
Our Festival Fringe programme was staged in St John’s Church, next to the Opera House. We were so fortunate to use this wonderful
space, and our thanks go to the church team and fantastic staff who helped us so much. We’re delighted to announce that we’ll be back next year for morning talks, lunchtime Classical Pops recitals, and special matinee concerts.
So, we had a fabulous Festival, and from all the letters and emails we’ve received, it’s clear our guests did too. Now that the dust is settling on our 2024 event, planning is well underway for 2025. You can find the Buxton Opera House programme on page 8 - it’s superb, and we know it will be another winner!
Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Festival. You were fantastic, and we can only do it with your magnificent support every year.
We look forward to seeing you next year.
A look back at 2024!
“Two national treasures brought to treasurable life” Daily Mail
Our 2024 Festival was a resounding success, and we know our visitors thoroughly enjoyed it. We were delighted when the National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company’s performances of The Pirates of Penzance and The Gondoliers garnered much-deserved five-star reviews from the Daily Mail.
Notably, The Savoy Company, who made the journey all the way from Philadelphia with a 90-strong party, earned an outstanding review in The Spectator for their performance of The Grand Duke, penned by critic Richard Bratby.
“….the polish, professionalism and sheer joy of this ambitious American company – wholly uninhibited by British snobbery about G&S – was notable.”
The Spectator
We felt for the first time in a long time that the Festival was finally back. At home. And full of joy! The planets aligned in August as the sun shone, Pimms and happy conversations overflowed on the Opera House forecourt, and we were treated to outstanding entertainment at every turn.
Buxton embraced Gilbert & Sullivan, and it seemed as if every restaurant, café and bar joined in the thirty-year celebrations. Could it really be more than thirty years since that first Festival in 1994?
We enjoyed using the beautiful St John’s Church for our morning talks, lunchtime recitals, and afternoon concerts. This is the perfect space for our fringe events, and we are lucky to have secured it for our 2025 Festival (and with tea and cakes next year, too!).
The Festival Church Service at St John’s was wonderful, and over 300 people attended. Bishop Jack Nicholls gave us an excellent sermon and much food for thought. The service featured Sullivan’s Te Deum Laudamus (1900)—The Boer War Te Deum, and other Sullivan works and hymns. The singing was led by St John’s choir, augmented by Festival singers and was truly magnificent. Thanks to Friends of the Festival Trustee, Philip Barton for working so hard to bring everything together. Look out for details of next year’s service in the December newsletter.
One of the highlights of the Festival was an evening visit to Chatsworth House. Guests enjoyed a special performance by Festival favourite Simon Butteriss, in the rarely used and unique Chatsworth Theatre where Simon’s delightful, gossipy anecdotes revealed its fascinating history. It was a beautiful summer evening, as guests were greeted with a glass of fizz outside before being given the chance to explore the stunning Sculpture Gallery prior to the performance. With no other visitors present, we were treated to exclusive use of this hidden gem—a true delight!
News and reviews
Over the years, some of the highlights of the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival have been the remarkable performances by amateur societies, all vying for various awards, with the coveted Ian G. Smith Award being the prize for the overall champions. UNIFest, a select group of leading UK universities, also bring their productions to the Pavilion Arts Centre, where they compete for separate accolades, including the Gertrude Marsh-Looi UNIFest Champions Award.
This year was no different. We were thrilled that approximately 5,000 people from across the globe, spanning multiple time zones, tuned in to the live Facebook stream to watch the Awards Ceremony.
The Festival Champions, Edinburgh G&S Society, were awarded a well-deserved prize of £1,000, while the runners-up received £500, both generously sponsored by our sister company, Theatrical Adventures. Special thanks go to Festival Adjudicator, Stephen Turnbull.
Edinburgh Gilbert & Sullivan Society
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL CHAMPIONS
The Ian G Smith Award
Edinburgh Gilbert & Sullivan Society
The Gondoliers
Runners Up
Bus Pass Opera
Patience
Best Actor in a Male Role
Edinburgh G&S Society
Ian Lawson
The Duke of Plaza-Toro
Best Actor in a Female Role
Peak Opera
Helena Culliney
Queen of the Fairies
Best Male Voice
Peak Opera
Simon Wilson
Earl of Mountararat
Best Female Voice
Edinburgh G&S Society
Louise Martyn
Gianetta
Best Chorus
Grosvenor Light
Opera Company
The Yeomen of the Guard
Best Musical Director
Savoy Company USA
Peter A. Hilliard
Best Director
Edinburgh G&S Society
Alan Borthwick
The Gondoliers
Adjudicator’s Award
The SavoyNet
Performing Group
Derrick McClure
UNIFEST AWARDS
2024 UNIFest Champions
The Gertrude Marsh-Looi Award
York University
Princess Ida
Runners Up
Oxford University
Princess Ida
2nd Runner Up
Birmingham University
Ruddigore
Best Actor in a Male Role
Peregrine Neger
King Gama
Oxford University
Best Performer in a Male Role
Darius Fell
John Wellington Wells
York University
Best Actor in a Female Role
Hannah Capstick
Lady Blanche
Oxford University
Best Male Voice
Nicholas Hart Florian
York University
Best Female Voice
Luoyu Liu
Princess Ida
York University
Best Chorus
Princess Ida
York University
Best Director
Orin Daniel Ruddigore
Birmingham University
Best Musical Director
Madeleine Lay
Princess Ida
Oxford University
Adjudicator’s Award
Ghost Scene
Ruddigore
Birmingham University
FESTIVAL YOUTH PRODUCTION
Best Performer in a Female Role
Lie Jennings Constance
Adjudicator’s Award
The Notary and Mrs. Partlet
LOOKING FORWARD TO 2025
The 31st International Gibert & Sullivan Festival
Buxton Opera House,
Saturday, 2 August –
Saturday 16 August 2025
We are delighted to bring you our 2025 Opera House Programme so you can start planning your Festival visit before the Priority Booking opens in December (you can read more about how to book tickets on pages 10-11.)
BUXTON OPERA HOUSE PROGRAMME 2025
Saturday 2 August 2.30 and 7.30 pm
The Pirates of Penzance, National G&S Opera Company
Sunday 3 August 2.30 and 7.30 pm
Iolanthe, National G&S Opera Company
Monday 4 August 7.30 pm
The Yeomen of the Guard, Godalming Operatic Society
Tuesday 5 August 7.30 pm
The Pirates of Penzance, New London Opera Group
Wednesday 6 August 2.30 and 7.30 pm
Princess Ida, National G&S Opera Company
Thursday 7 August 7.30 pm
Patience, Peak Opera
Friday 8 August 2.30 and 7.30 pm
The Mikado, Charles Court Opera
Saturday 9 August 2.30 pm
The Pirates of Penzance, National G&S Opera Company
Saturday 9 August 7.30 pm
Princess Ida, National G&S Opera Company
Sunday 10 August 2.30 pm
Princess Ida, National G&S Opera Company
Sunday 10 August 7.30 pm
Iolanthe, National G&S Opera Company
Monday 11 August 7.30 pm
Ruddigore, Bus Pass Opera
Tuesday 12 August 7.30 pm
The Gondoliers, Brussels Light Opera Company
Wednesday 13 August 2.30 pm
Iolanthe, National G&S Opera Company
Wednesday 13 August 7.30 pm
The Pirates of Penzance, National G&S Opera Company
Thursday 14 August 7.30 pm
HMS Pinafore , The SavoyNet Performing Group
Friday 15 August 2.30 pm
The Best of Gilbert & Sullivan, National G&S Opera Company
Friday 15 August 7.30 pm
Princess Ida, National G&S Opera Company
Saturday 16 August 2.30 pm
The Pirates of Penzance, National G&S Opera Company
Saturday 16 August 7.30 pm
Iolanthe, National G&S Opera Company
Don’t
forget the fringe
We’re putting the finishing touches to a jam-packed Festival Fringe. Morning talks will once again take place at St John’s Church, conveniently located across the road from the Opera House. This charming and comfortable venue will also host our Classical Pops recitals every lunchtime at 1 pm, along with numerous concerts and other events.
UNIFest, our university competition, will take place in the Pavilion Arts Centre—a 400-seat theatre next to the Opera House. Leading UK universities will bring full-scale productions to compete for the Gertrude Marsh - Looi Award and various other prizes. In 2025, we are pleased to announce that we are almost back to our pre-COVID entry numbers, with five universities participating. We’re excited to welcome G&S Societies from Southampton University, Durham University, Birmingham University, Oxford University, and York University. These productions are inspiring, imaginative, and full of energy—be sure to catch at least one during your Festival visit. You won’t be disappointed!
This year’s Youth Production will be HMS Pinafore, directed once again by Rachel Harland. If you know any children or young people aged 9–18 who would like to enjoy an amazing week in Buxton and learn all about G&S, as well as the ins and outs of putting together a show, please email Sarah at sarah@ gsfestivals.org. Rachel is also planning a series of G&S masterclass for local schools in Buxton. If you have any contacts at schools in the area, please let Sarah know sarah@gsfestivals.org.
The West Yorkshire Savoyards will be celebrating their 50th anniversary at the Festival with a performance of Ruddigore in the Pavilion Arts Centre. We’re also delighted to have Harrogate G&S Society returning with HMS Pinafore.
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 packages, including accommodation and theatre tickets, so our visitors could relax and enjoy their experience without lifting a finger.
Over time, it has 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.
In 2025 and 2026, we have some fantastic holidays lined up with something to please everyone! You can sail down the River Rhine, enjoy Paris in the spring with our fabulous cruise along the River Seine through Normandy, or visit the stunning city of Venice and cruise the Venetian canals.
We will be offering our special accommodation and theatre packages for visitors to the G&S Festival in Buxton where you can avoid the hassle of ticket draws and booking your room - just choose your hotel, select your dates and shows, and we will magically arrange everything for you!
In 2025, we are offering a land-based holiday on the charming island of Lanzarote. You will enjoy fantastic tours around this beautiful island, and, of course, our wonderful entertainers will accompany us too. (SOLD OUT - email oliver@theatricaladventures.com to be added to the waiting list)
We are also taking a group on a sea cruise in Croatia and have a break planned in Malvern to watch the National G&S Opera Company. And there’s much, much more!
So, what are you waiting for? Visit us online at www.theatricaladventures.com or call 01422 323252 for our latest brochure.
CHANGE IS IN THE AIR!
As the Festival settles back into beautiful Buxton, we are making some necessary changes to meet today’s demands—particularly in how we manage our priority ticket booking process. For several years, our Priority Draw was handled through our Halifax Office, with bookings then transferred to the Opera House before being released to the public. We are sure you’ll agree that this wasn’t the most efficient way to operate!
To enhance the Priority Booking experience for our members, the Buxton Opera House Box Office will now manage all ticket bookings for next year’s G&S Festival. This change will ensure a smoother and more efficient booking process for everyone.
Please note we can no longer accept completed booking forms with credit card details or cheques. We can only accept bookings online, by phone or in person at the Buxton Opera House Box Office. Detailed instructions on how to book will be included in our December newsletter, and our team in Halifax will always be available if you have any questions.
HOW WILL I BOOK - PRIORITY DRAW
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 wwwbuxtonoperahouse.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 2024
Priority Booking opens for Benefactors
Priority Booking 3
from Wednesday 22 January 2025 –Tuesday 4 February 2025
Priority Booking opens for Festival Friends
Open Sale
From Wednesday, 5 February 2025
Priority Booking for all members will close on Monday 3 February 2025.
To secure the best seats and enjoy exclusive benefits, you can become a member now. Along with priority booking and member discounts, you will also be supporting the future of the Festival. For more details on membership levels, please refer to pages 12 & 13.
Be Part of the Gilbert & Sullivan Family: The Friends Who Make it Happen!
The Friends of the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival play a crucial role in ensuring the continuation and success of our unique event, and the generosity of our members allows us to confidently plan for the future.
This year, visitors benefited from a fantastic new sound system at all our events in St John’s Church and at the evening Festival Club. This was kindly donated by the Friends, and it undoubtedly made a huge difference to the overall experience of our visitors.
We are entirely reliant on ticket income to cover our costs, as we do not receive any funding from the Arts Council or the Lottery.
Over the years, the Friends have contributed thousands of pounds to support our vital Youth Production, ensuring it remains free for all participants. Additionally, they have supported the UNIFest competition and helped stage our ever-popular Bus Pass Opera for the over-60s. Quite simply, without the Friends, the Festival would not exist today. It’s as simple as that!
The Friends truly are the Festival’s extended family. For just £35 a year, you can make a significant difference and enjoy benefits such as the Priority Draw and discounts.
From £100 a year, you can become a Benefactor. We love welcoming our Benefactors, Life Members, and Festival Partners for a glass of wine every Saturday and Wednesday in Buxton. Next year, these membership levels will enjoy even more, such as the chance to meet the directors and stars of the National G&S Opera Company. They will also be able to explore backstage at the Opera House and speak with our Creative Team, including our talented costume designers and wardrobe department. You might even get a sneak peek at a very special part of the Opera House – what a treat!
Our Board of Trustees meets regularly throughout the year, and our AGM takes place annually during the Festival in Buxton. If you are interested in becoming more involved with the Friends, please email sarah@gsfestivals.org.
We hope we’ve convinced you to join us. There are some fantastic rewards, not least the satisfaction of knowing you are helping to keep the Festival (and Gilbert & Sullivan) alive for future generations!
Thank you for your support.
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
Christmas Is Just Around the Corner—Discover Magical Gifts for Your Friends and Loved Ones!
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 www.gsfestivals.org or by phone 01422 323252 or complete the enclosed order form.
NATIONAL GILBERT & SULLIVAN OPERA COMPANY 2024 SEASON
Individual DVDs - £21/Blu-Ray £25.99 Box Set – All three DVDs - £55/Blu-Ray - £70
Iolanthe Peak Opera
The Grand Duke Savoy Company
The Mikado (NON TRAD)
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 .
Savoy Operas Tote Bag
Tea Towel
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.
