About the Victoria Gilbert and Sullivan Society |
Our PurposeThe Victoria Gilbert and Sullivan Society is a non-profit community theatre group dedicated to the promotion of the arts in Victoria, in particular the works of William S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan.
Who We AreOur Society was formed in 1945 when seven ladies from Christchurch Anglican Cathedral decided that Gilbert & Sullivan operettas should be performed regularly in Victoria.
After a few years the Society decided to include Broadway style shows in the repertoire and so G&S was performed less frequently.
There was a die-hard G&S faction in the group that felt strongly that the Society should perform only the works of G&S, so the Society became two groups; one devoted to performing the works of Gilbert and Sullivan and the other devoted to performing works from Broadway musicals. The Victoria Gilbert & Sullivan Society has been continuing ever since, with the occasional rest period.
Each of our staged productions is accompanied by a professional orchestra including members of the Victoria Symphony. We have also collaborated with the Victoria Civic Orchestra on many occasions to perform concert versions of Gilbert and Sullivan's major operettas. On each occasion members of our chorus have had the opportunity to sing with the 50+ orchestra under the direction George Corwin.
In addition to performing for our devoted audiences, we also give annual bursaries to two groups each year in an effort to encourage and support students of music and theatre who wish to make performing their career. The recipients of our bursaries are students of the University of Victoria's Voice Department and students of The Canadian College of Performing Arts.
Past members of our Society include Ken Lavigne, Brian Jackson, Michael Gormley, Leon Leontaridis, the late Colin Skinner and the late Kathleen West (who was a member of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company).
If you love the operettas of W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan and would like to become involved with our Society, please click on the Volunteer button at the right and we'll make sure to reply promptly.
Board of Directors
President - Beverley van Druten-Blais Vice President - Heather-Elayne Day Treasurer - Norma Jee Secretary - Linda Troke Elizabeth Sly Bob Hall Arwen Thysse Nancy Troke Past President - Ilda Turcotte
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Past Productions |
Full ProductionsThe Mikado 2004, 2011, 2018 Pirates of Penzance 2002, 2009, 2017 HMS Pinafore 1989, 2004, 2014 The Gondoliers 1990, 1998, 2006, 2016 Iolanthe 2007, 2015 Patience 1992, 2008 Ruddigore 1999, 2013 The Sorcerer 1993, 2010 Trial by Jury/Cox and Box 1987, 1996 Trial by Jury/Pineapple Poll 2016
Gilbert & Sullivan in Concert with The Civic Orchestra of VictoriaPirates of Penzance 2013 HMS Pinafore 2012 The Mikado 2009
Other ProductionsA Music Hall Show 2023 Live to Dream Benefit Concert 2015 Another British Music Hall 2011 British Music Hall 2010 The Rivals-A Musical Romp 2008 Appearance with Canadian Pacific Ballet 2007 An Evening with Gilbert & Sullivan 2007 Appearance with the Victoria Symphony 2006 Choral Concert 2005 An Evening with Gilbert & Sullivan 2005 Sentimental Journey 2004 Celtic Concerts 2003 Carol Concert 2002 Feel the Spirit 2002 Gilbert & Sullivan a la Carte 2002 HMS Pinafore & Utopia 2001 Sprig of Thyme 2001 Topsy Turvy! 2000 Benefit for the Victoria Conservatory of Music 2000 No Sex Please, We're Gilbert & Sullivan! 1994 Another Night with Gilbert & Sullivan 1991 Spring into Song with Gilbert & Sullivan 1991 Excerpts from Gondoliers, Iolanthe, The Mikado 1989 An Evening with Gilbert & Sullivan 1988
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