Posted by Chris Boyle 29/03/2012 at 14:08
For any of you that haven't heard about Minack, it's the G&S Society's biggest show each year, with 3 weeks of fun down in Cornwall. All the fun of a show with none of the pesky lectures getting in the way.
If you want to get involved in this year's show - Ruddigore - then all the information you could possibly want for cast, crew or orchestra is on the production's website.
Posted by Chris Boyle 04/03/2012 at 10:07
In their eternal wisdom, Gilbert & Sullivan timed their 13 surviving operettas in such a way as to, if sung back-to-back with some of the dialogue cut, take almost exactly 24 hours. Consequently, the society holds a biennial 24 hour sing through; veterans will notice that we should have had one last year, but we'll waive that point.
The timing will be 9am Saturday 17th March to 9am Sunday 18th March in the Wray Hall at St. Luke's Church Community Centre, Victoria Road, Cambridge, CB4 3DZ. That's the weekend directly after the end of term.
It is not expected that you should attend all 24 hours!!! We'll draw up a running order (see point 2.) and then you can drop in when you like. However, there will be a certain mad energy in the middle of Saturday night as the number of operettas completed hits double figures, so it may be worth stocking up on coffee and doing the whole hog. If you fancy raising some money for charity, why not get sponsored for a certain number of hours? It's an idea.
So that we can schedule optimally, could you take the time to fill out a row in this google spreadsheet please. 1 means yes, 0 means no.
You are in no way contractually obliged to come at the times you have listed (you can come more often!...) - we just don't want to schedule H.M.S. Pinafore for 8pm Saturday evening if it turns out that everyone's at a concert or something.
Repetiteurs - now is your time to shine! If you want to email me directly (aw530) with times you would like to do, I'll draw up a (little) list. You can of course rep and sing at this event, but might struggle to do so simultaneously (although a man might try).
That's all for now, but don't forget to fill in the google docs. This could well be the last time the society does this during your time in Cambridge - make the most of it.
Posted by Chris Boyle 18/02/2012 at 21:45
A big thank you to everyone who came to the AGM this afternoon. I hope you enjoyed yourselves.
Congratulations to all those who were successful, it is going to be a another fantastic G&S year!
All the best,
Aled
Posted by Chris Boyle 16/02/2012 at 23:34
Wednesday 29th February to Saturday 3rd March, 7:30pm, plus Saturday 3 March, 2:30pm
The Mumford Theatre, Anglia Ruskin
£10 (£8 concessions)
Book tickets online, call the Box Office on 0845 196 2320 or see the booking information page for more options.
For news and photos of our progress towards opening night, see the production's Facebook page.
A man is about to be executed. He has committed an atrocity so terrible that he faces the most severe punishment the town can throw at him. Koko, a lowly tailor, has been caught flirting.
The Mikado is Gilbert and Sullivan's comic masterpiece. In almost constant production since its 1885 debut, it combines biting social commentary with dark gallows humour, featuring some of the best-loved characters in English opera together with an iconic musical style. As the Cambridge University Gilbert and Sullivan Society enters its sixth decade, join us in a world full of ridiculous laws and prohibitions, outrageous political corruption and hilarious romantic entanglements. The Mikado is not to be missed!
Posted by Chris Boyle 12/02/2012 at 12:21
The Annual General Meeting of CU G&S Society will be held at 4.30pm on Saturday 18th February in the Blythe Room at Clare Colony. [On the Chesterton Road, on the left 30 seconds walk after the crossroads by Magdalene].
There will be, as ever, lots of FREE FOOD AND DRINK for your consumption. Why wait until the evening to start the formal pre-lash…?
One of the many wonderful things that happen at the AGM is the election of a new committee. On this subject, if you would like to run for the committee it is customary for nominations to be sent by email before the AGM. However, this is very often waived in practice.
ALL OF YOU (yes, that means you too) should run for the committee. It is a uniquely empowering experience - stop asking, "I wander what the Lent show is going to be next year?" and start CHOOSING what the Lent show is going to be next year! Stop thinking, "I hope that they have lemon slices at the next social," and start CHOOSING to clear Sainsbury's of all lemon slices before each sing through! Have control over a Minack budget of tens of thousands of pounds!! There will be no limit to your power, MUAHAHAHAH!!!!
The Blythe Room is really big, so I do really look forward to seeing all 600 of you there!
All the best,
Aled
Posted by Chris Boyle 14/01/2012 at 09:57
Dear Society,
It's that moment you've all been waiting for - auditions for our Lent Term spectacular are here!
THE MIKADO
29th February - 3rd March
7.30pm (with a 2.30pm Saturday Matinee)
Mumford Theatre, Anglia Ruskin
A man is about to be executed. He has committed an atrocity so terrible that he faces the most severe punishment the town can throw at him. Koko, a lowly tailor, has been caught flirting.
The Mikado is Gilbert and Sullivan's comic masterpiece. In almost constant production since its 1885 debut, it combines biting social commentary with dark gallows humour, featuring some of the best-loved characters in English opera together with an iconic musical style. As the Cambridge University Gilbert and Sullivan Society enters its sixth decade, join us in a world full of ridiculous laws and prohibitions, outrageous political corruption and hilarious romantic entanglements. The Mikado is not to be missed!
Auditions will be held:
Wednesday 18th January
3-6pm; 7-9pm -Trinity Hall Music Room
Thursday 19th January
3-6pm - Picken Room, Jesus College
7-10pm - Knox Shaw Room, Sidney Sussex College
Auditions are open to all; prior experience is much less important than energy and enthusiasm! You will be asked to perform a song, either from our collection of scores or of your own choosing (but please bring sheet music for our pianist!), as well as a short passage of dialogue, which we will give you on the day.
The Mumford has one of the best stages in Cambridge, comparable in size to the Arts. Often used by professional companies, this is a great opportunity to take part in an extremely exciting production!
If you have any questions, or cannot make any of the times listed, please contact Lizzie Blackmore on enb31@cam.ac.uk
Best of luck!
Aled
Secretary
Posted by Chris Boyle 14/11/2011 at 23:30
Welcome to our new website. New features include the list of upcoming events in the bottom left, and the return of our archive of previous productions. The photo gallery has not yet been migrated, and is still available on a previous site.
If you notice anything out of place, please do not hesitate to contact the webmaster.
Posted by Chris Boyle 10/11/2011 at 22:35
The Yeomen of the Guard is darker and more serious than Gilbert and Sullivan's other works but it is also one of the best loved and is widely regarded has having the finest score of the lot. Set in the Tower of London in the reign of Henry VIII, it tells the story of Colonel Fairfax, who has been sentenced to death for sorcery. Even in death Fairfax hopes to cheat his accuser of victory; at the same time his old friend, the Beefeater Sergeant Meryll, believes him innocent and plots with his family to set him free. Their scheming will entwine their fate with that of two strolling players, the jester Jack Point and singer Elsie Maynard, as the show builds to a heart-rending emotional climax.
Performances are Wednesday 23rd to Saturday 26th November in the Robinson Auditorium Theatre, at 8:00pm.
Tickets are available from ADC Ticketing. There is also a Facebook event.
Posted by Chris Boyle 25/08/2011 at 12:22
A Golden Anniversary ~ A Sumptuous Feast ~ A Magical Night
Join us for the culmination of the G&S Society's 50th anniversary year at a truly unique and magical event - a Cambridge ball like no other!
In the elegant Victorian surroundings of Girton College, we'll take inspiration from the extravagant Winter balls of the 19th century, with dancing, entertainment and a lavish banquet supper. In the holly and ivy bedecked Great Hall, you'll trip the light fantastic to orchestral accompaniment, while a magnificent feast will be available all night to keep you refreshed and replenished. Cabaret and comedy acts will provide entertainment and the whole event will commence with a pirate sherry reception, complete with canapés.
Full details at the ball website here: www.CUGSJubileeBall.co.uk
Tickets to this very special event are only £55, including reception, the banquet supper, wine throughout the night, coffee, port and cheeses, as well as all the entertainment. There will also be a cash bar available for beers and spirits.
All are welcome to attend the ball - current students, alumni and plus ones alike. Tickets are *very* limited however so book soon!
Orders may be placed at the website: www.CUGSJubileeBall.co.uk
Join the facebook event here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=206808072710723
Posted by Chris Boyle 06/06/2011 at 11:40
Cambridge University Gilbert and Sullivan Society present "HMS Pinafore - on Punts"
St. John's College Riverside, 7.30pm, 24th June 2011
This year's Gilbert and Sullivan May Week show sees HMS Pinafore take to the Cam, in a unique production staged almost entirely on punts. From the banks of St. John's, audiences will be treated to one of the most popular G+S operettas. We follow a humble foremast lad, Ralph Rackstraw, attempting to win the affections of his captain's daughter, vying with the First Lord of the Admiralty Sir Joseph Porter, who knows virtually nothing about ships at all. Buttercup, a bumboat woman, has a dark secret which will turn everything upside down, but will the various romantic couples enjoy a happy ending? A story of love, class and mystery, peppered throughout with witty dialogue and social satire, this production promises to be fun, enjoyable and one-of-a-kind!