History of the Society

The Stratford upon Avon Gilbert & Sullivan Club was formed in the summer of 1974 by John and Rona Baugh for "the enjoyment and performance of the operas of W S Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan". The first public performances were in 1975. A concert version of Trial by Jury together with a selection of music from other G and S operas was presented at Stratford upon Avon Parish Hall and at the Fire College, Moreton in Marsh.

In the early days we held rehearsals in the Music Room at  the College of Further Education, The Willows, each Wednesday evening. To this day, the Society still rehearses on Wednesday evenings although we have changed our venue many times over the years.

In 1976 members voted to change the name to the Stratford upon Avon Gilbert & Sullivan Society and the first full-length opera - HMS Pinafore - was staged at Tiddington Village Hall. This was followed in 1977 in the same Hall with The Pirates of Penzance.

In 1978 Joe Ward took over as Chairman (a post he was to hold until 1994) and the Society moved to the Methodist church Hall to perform The Gondoliers. Over the next 8 years the Society produced various G & S operas here and it was only in 1987 that we moved to the new Civic Hall with a production of The Mikado 'in the round' with a catwalk stage built into the audience. This was to be the Society's 'home' until 1995 during which time a range of G & S concerts and operas were produced with increasing expertise and success.

The committee had hoped for some time that we could move to The Swan Theatre and in 1995 this dream became a reality with a new production of The Mikado. Sheila Price succeeded Joe Ward as Chairman and held the office for the next three years during which time the Society performed both at The Swan and The Waterside Theatre.

In 1997 Keith Harrison took over as Chairman and the Society has continued to perform at The Swan gaining in strength and professionalism. 1999 was our Silver Jubilee year with both a Gala Concert and a production of The Gondoliers at the Swan Theatre.

In the year 2000 we experimented for the first time and produced a concert programme consisting mainly of classical opera and modern music with only very few G & S items. We then reverted to G & S in the autumn when we took The Yeomen of the Guard to The Swan.

Almost without exception the Society has staged a production and a concert every year and has given a good deal of money to charity.

Like any musical society we have, over the years, had countless numbers of members joining and leaving. We have attracted talented musical directors, producers, accompanists and brilliant singers, some of whom have left us to become professional musicians. However, there is a fundamental core of loyal and experienced members who are a vital part of our G & S 'family'. We enjoy our weekly rehearsals, currently at St. Andrew’s Hall, Shottery, breaking half way through for coffee with biscuits, a raffle and a natter! Although we work really hard to perfect our presentations we also thoroughly enjoy the social occasion and friendship with fellow musicians.

At our annual general meeting in November 2004, Keith Harrison, who has in the past been Chairman and is a life member, was elected Chairman for a second time. We look forward to working with Keith.

The Society continues to go from strength to strength and we look forward to the future with great enthusiasm and optimism.