Derby G&S Company bow out with The Mikado at international festival

A production of the rarely performed Gilbert and Sullivan creation Haddon Hall will be a highlight of a festival's 25th anniversary productons.
International G&S Festival in Buxton Opera House.International G&S Festival in Buxton Opera House.
International G&S Festival in Buxton Opera House.

The work will be staged at Buxton Opera House on Thursday, August 2. as art of the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival.

Th4 National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company open their 2018 season at Buxton’s showpiece theatre on Tuesday, July 31, with a new production of The Pirates of Penzance directed by Richard Gauntlett. Watch out for a hilarious production as Richard also takes to the stage as the dotty Major General with his troupe of beautiful daughters.

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A dramatic and updated Ruddigore (matinee and evening performances) follows on August 2. Directed by Vivien Coates who brought numerous award winning productions to Buxton Opera House and had the “hit”show of the festival last year with his 5 star acclaimed production of Princess Ida.
Amateur society Derby G&S Company present their final performance on Friday, August 3, which will be a production of The Mikado, directed by company founder Andrew Nicklin. This will be a sad farewell for one of the festival’s favourite performing groups who scooped so many awards at the Gilbert & Sullivan Festival and the Waterford Festival in Ireland. Festival founder Ian Smith said: “It is the end of an era! We are so disappointed that Derby G&S will be hanging up their costumes for the very last time and we are looking forward to a bumper audience to really see them out in style. Derby have made such a fantastic contribution to Gilbert & Sullivan and really raised the bar at the Festival. Their performances have always been first rate and innovative. They will certainly be missed!”

On Saturday, August 4, visitors can see a double bill of Trial by Jury directed by Ian Smith and a new production of The Sorcerer (matinee and evening) directed by John Savournin. This is an excellent opportunity to see two charming productions rarely performed professionally.

And if visitors missed Ruddigore and The Pirates of Penzance earlier in the week there is another opportunity to see them again on Sunday, August 5.

Tickets are priced from £12.£37 amnd can be booked at Buxton Opera House box office, tel. 01298 72190 or go to www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk