English as Shakespeare... and the Beatles Print E-mail
Written by Bernard Lockett, 2008   
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Worldwide following

Even though the very last two G&S operas were, by their standards, less successful (Utopia - 1893 and The Grand Duke - 1896), they, together with the stalwarts of the partnership, are all regularly performed somewhere in the English-speaking world today.

Last spring, two London West End theatres had G&S performances running simultaneously, but they are equally popular in Ireland, the US, Canada, Australia (The Gondoliers had a season at the Sydney Opera House in 2007), New Zealand, South Africa - and not to forget a performance of The Mikado sung in Japan, in Japanese.

Importantly, the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival, created by afficianados Ian and Neil Smith and now in its 15th year, is held every year for three weeks in the Peak District's delightful spa town of Buxton, Derbyshire (1-23 August 2009 - tel: 01422 323252, www.gs-festival.co.uk).

It is the biggest celebration of G&S anywhere in the world, attracting over 25,000 visitors and over 2,000 performers from 30 countries worldwide. There are 27 full-scale G&S performances, both professional and amateur, all given in the opulent setting of the Buxton Opera House (appropriately built in 1903).

Plus there is a supporting Fringe events programme that runs throughout the Festival and includes recitals, presentations of vintage and rare recordings, also a host of talks and readings.

Gilbert and Sullivan operas are very much alive and well in the 21st century's musical theatre scene. They are part of our national musical and artistic heritage, as quintessentially English as Shakespeare, Charles Dickens and The Beatles!

2008-09 performances of Gilbert & Sullivan

* Carl Rosa Opera: 10 week season touring in UK autumn 2008 and again spring 2009.
* 'Gilbert and Sullivan For All': concert performances planned December 2008/January 2009 in London, Manchester and Birmingham.

Bernard Lockett is the author of several books: Here's a State of Things (ISBN 978 1 905226 96 2), a historical novel about Gilbert and Sullivan and the original D'Oyly Carte Opera Company; Maybe It's Because I'm a Londoner (ISBN 1 905226 26 8), reflections of growing up in post-War East London; and Travel Broadens the Mind (ISBN 1 905226 54 3) about ageism and bullying in today's corporate workplace. All are published by Melrose Books (www.melrosebooks.com).

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