The annual production
We usually perform our annual show around the first week of November inĀ Halifax Playhouse. This is fully staged, fully costumed, and performed with an orchestra.
Auditions for principal parts (which are open to anybody) take place at the end of April, and we start learning the music from May onwards. Chorus members are not required to audition. At the beginning of September the Director ('Producer' for traditionalists) comes along and starts to add the action.
There is plenty for non-singers to take part in as well, at show time. There is scenery to be built, props to be made and collected, backstage areas to organise, and front-of-house activities like welcoming the audience and selling programmes. Performance week can be hectic, but is lots of fun.
Concerts
Once the annual show has been tidied away, we begin preparations for ourĀ Concert season. This is mainly in the Spring, but sometimes we have sung concerts at other times of the year.
We usually perform six or seven concerts at venues around Halifax, though we have been further afield to Huddersfield, Bradford and even beyond Skipton.
TheĀ concert programmeĀ is based on Gilbert and Sullivan, with choruses, solos and ensembles, and perhaps some longer dramatic excerpts from the operas. We usually include a short selection from other composers too, to give ourselves and the audience some further variety.
We are always happy to perform at new venues, with either our full chorus (of around 25 to 30 singers) or a smaller group. If you would be interested in a concert from us, please see ourĀ contactsĀ page.