ABOUT US
Over 50 years of Gilbert & Sullivan, music, comedy and friendship.
From a small newspaper announcement in 1972 to a thriving society performing across Worcestershire, Worcester Gilbert & Sullivan Society has been making music, putting on shows and having fun together for generations.
OUR STORY
1972 — WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
An announcement by Walter Wilson in the local paper in 1972, asking if there was anyone interested in starting a Gilbert & Sullivan Society in Worcester was where it all began.
Enough people replied and in 1973 "The Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Worcester" began.
1973–1974 — OUR FIRST PRODUCTIONS
We put on a concert in The Swan Theatre, Worcester, which was very well received, then followed a fully costumed 'Mikado' with orchestra in the Technical College, in January 1974.
After this we continued giving concerts at various venues, and locations - Leominster amongst them, and Stratford upon Avon being memorable, for appearing on the famous Shakespearean stage!!
An announcement by Walter Wilson in the local paper in 1972, asking if there was anyone interested in starting a Gilbert & Sullivan Society in Worcester was where it all began.
Enough people replied and in 1973 "The Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Worcester" began.
1973–1974 — OUR FIRST PRODUCTIONS
We put on a concert in The Swan Theatre, Worcester, which was very well received, then followed a fully costumed 'Mikado' with orchestra in the Technical College, in January 1974.
After this we continued giving concerts at various venues, and locations - Leominster amongst them, and Stratford upon Avon being memorable, for appearing on the famous Shakespearean stage!!
FROM THE ARCHIVES
The society's early years — including our first productions in 1973
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1976 — THE FESTIVAL THEATRE
We moved our main productions to the stage of The Festival Theatre Malvern in 1976 with 'The Sorcerer', and remained there until 2005, (apart from when the theatre was closed for the refurbishment). We are now performing at various theatres around Worcestershire.
OUR NAME
The name was changed to ' Worcester Gilbert and Sullivan Society' as it seemed better, being just that little bit shorter than the original.
A FRIENDLY SOCIETY
We have always been known as a 'friendly' society and we all try to live up to this. We still have one of our founder members with us, Mandy Lambert.
We moved our main productions to the stage of The Festival Theatre Malvern in 1976 with 'The Sorcerer', and remained there until 2005, (apart from when the theatre was closed for the refurbishment). We are now performing at various theatres around Worcestershire.
OUR NAME
The name was changed to ' Worcester Gilbert and Sullivan Society' as it seemed better, being just that little bit shorter than the original.
A FRIENDLY SOCIETY
We have always been known as a 'friendly' society and we all try to live up to this. We still have one of our founder members with us, Mandy Lambert.
G&S TODAY
Over 50 years after that first newspaper announcement, we're still doing what we set out to do: bringing people together to make music, perform and have a lot of fun along the way.
Gilbert & Sullivan remain at the heart of the society, but our concerts and events also give us the opportunity to explore other musical styles — from classical and folk music to musical hall, parody and more.
Gilbert & Sullivan remain at the heart of the society, but our concerts and events also give us the opportunity to explore other musical styles — from classical and folk music to musical hall, parody and more.
WANT TO BE PART OF THE STORY?
Whether you'd love to perform, sing, help backstage or simply meet some new people, we'd love to meet you.