Bath Gilbert & Sullivan Society is probably one of the busiest amateur theatre groups in the city. Each year we present a packed programme of concerts, stage productions, talks, films, social and fundraising events.
We have just completed a very successful 65th Season which included an animated concert production of La Belle Helene in November 2009, an Old Time Music Hall Night in December, an acclaimed fully staged production of The Mikado in May 2010 and for the first time a concert at the Chipping Sodbury Festival in June 2010. In addition, our monthly appreciation meetings included a performance of Box and Cox, an evening of Flanders and Swann, and talks by Joy and Tony Joseph on the lives and times of Gilbert & Sullivan.
An important aspect of our activities is fundraising for local charities and last season we were pleased to support The Children's Centre in Twerton. In previous years we have supported the Peggy Dodd Centre, Forever Friends, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and MRI Scanner appeals.
Bath Gilbert & Sullivan Society is fairly unique in being both an appreciation and a performing society. The society was formed in 1944/5 as an appreciation society and progressed to small private performances for the delights of members. It is now affiliated to both the national Gilbert & Sullivan Society and the National Operatic and Dramatic Assoication (NODA).
The Society's activities in the early days comprised members meetings with gramophone record illustrated readings and graduated to include live rehearsed singing. Later 'outside' concerts were introduced and the 1980's saw the beginning of our fully staged productions which took place in the now defunct Bath Technical College Theatre, Avon Street before transferring more recently to The Wroughton Theatre, King Edward's School.
The Society celebrated its Diamond Jubilee year in 2004/5 and to mark this anniversary Terry Bletso, our current President, wrote a full history of the society. This was carefully compiled from the copious records that had been kept by the secretaries of the society over that period, including the minutes from day one! To view this interesting and informative account, please click on the link button below or the society logo to the left.
We now have a busy but enjoyable performing and appreciation schedule which encompasses concerts, plays, talks and charity events. The season culminates in a fully staged production of one of the G&S operas at the end of May and normally ends with a summer concert in late June/early July.