International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival facts for kids
The International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival is a fun event held every summer in England. It was started in 1994 by Ian Smith and his son Neil. This festival lasts for two or three weeks. It celebrates the famous operas by Gilbert and Sullivan. Thousands of people come to the festival. These include performers, fans, and people who love G&S from all over the world.
The festival was held in Buxton, Derbyshire, from 1994 to 2013. From 2014 to 2022, it moved to Harrogate, North Yorkshire. Usually, a week in Buxton happened before the main festival in Harrogate. In 2023, the whole festival returned to Buxton, where it is still held today. Both professional and amateur groups perform at the festival. The festival has its own professional group, the National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company. Amateur groups from around the world also perform on the main stage. Smaller theatres host other events. These include a competition for university groups called Unifest. There are also lectures, a fair for souvenirs, and many other activities.
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History of the Festival
The festival was founded in 1994 by Ian Smith (1939–2019). His family, including his wife Janet and son Neil, still run it. Their goal is to keep the works of Gilbert and Sullivan alive and help people understand them better. They also want to bring G&S and performing arts back into schools in Britain. The founders believe that Gilbert and Sullivan's works are an important part of Britain's history. They especially value how these operas were performed by the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. This company performed Gilbert and Sullivan's Savoy Operas for over 100 years until 1982.
When the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company closed, there were fewer Gilbert and Sullivan shows in Britain. Ian Smith was upset that the English Arts Council did not help the company. This feeling led him to start the festival. The festival was held in Buxton, England, every year from 1994 to 2013. It also tried holding extra weeks in other cities. These included Eastbourne, England, and several cities in the United States. The main part of the festival moved to Harrogate, England, in 2014. It continued there each summer, but also had a week of shows in Buxton before the main opening.
The festival did not happen in 2020. This was because Harrogate was helping with the Covid-19 pandemic. During this time, the festival started an online service. It showed recordings of past performances and some live events. The festival received money from the government to help it survive. It started again in 2021. Until 2022, it ran for one week in Buxton and almost two weeks in Harrogate. In 2023, the entire festival moved back to Buxton, where it continues to be held.
What Happens at the Festival
Each summer, starting in late July or early August, the festival runs for two or three weeks. There are G&S operas every night and on weekend afternoons. Many daytime activities also take place. In some years, the festival has sold over 25,000 tickets. It has also attracted up to 2,000 performers.
Sky Arts described the festival as "one of the most colourful, melodic and joyous festivals." It celebrates the clever words of W. S. Gilbert and the amazing music of Arthur Sullivan. It is the world's biggest event for the Savoy operas. The festival is also forward-looking and fun. It presents both new and traditional versions of G&S shows. The festival has its own professional orchestra. This orchestra plays music for the main stage performances.
The Competition for Amateur Groups
The festival first started mostly as a competition. Amateur G&S groups from Britain and around the world competed. On weeknights, the best non-professional groups competed for the "International Champions" title. Some groups perform every year. Others, especially those from far away, visit only sometimes. Some groups even meet and practice entirely at the festival.
The day of a performance is very busy for amateur groups. They move into the theatre early in the morning. They have one practice with the festival orchestra in the afternoon. Then, they perform in the evening. After the show, they pack up right away. A professional judge used to give feedback after each amateur performance. The judge would score each show. Awards for groups and individuals were announced at the end of the festival.
In 1994, the first prize went to a group from Maine, USA. The Derby Gilbert & Sullivan Company has won first prize more than any other group (six times). The South Anglia Savoy Players won five times. Festival Productions, Ireland, won three years in a row. Individual awards were also given to performers, directors, and music directors. The internet group SavoyNet has competed since 1997. They won in 2013 and 2018. They are the only group to perform all 14 G&S operas at the festival. After the pandemic, live judging stopped. However, cash prizes are still given to the champions.
A "Unifest" competition for university groups happens each year. It is part of the festival's extra events. The festival also puts on an adult "Festival production" for the competition. There is also a "Youth Production" for performers aged 9 to 19. Since 2015, they have also had a "Bus Pass Opera" for performers over 60.
Professional Performances
As the festival grew, it added more professional shows. These are now performed throughout the festival. Companies like the Carl Rosa Opera Company and the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players perform. The festival's own National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company also performs. Famous G&S performers have starred in these shows. Sky Arts calls these performers "some of the UK’s finest."
The National G&S Opera Company is known for its strong casts and energetic shows. They bring fresh ideas to roles that many festival audiences know well. The staging and lighting are always carefully done. The chorus is often outstanding. This company is special because it has performed all 13 of the existing Savoy Operas. In 2011, The Daily Telegraph enjoyed their lively show of Utopia, Limited. This opera is rarely performed professionally. In 2012, the festival put on the first full professional show of The Grand Duke in Britain since the 1800s.
In 2010, the National G&S Opera Company performed outside the festival for the first time. They performed The Yeomen of the Guard at Oxford Castle. The company then started touring its shows from June to August each summer. They performed in up to six towns and cities, including Buxton. A review of their 2014 tour praised their show of The Pirates of Penzance. It said the company was "a real find" with great singing and a full, energetic cast.
The National G&S Opera Company has generally staged four shows at the festival each summer since 2015. They give up to 16 performances there. Other professional companies usually give a few shows each. In 2018, for the festival's 25th anniversary, the company presented six shows. This included the first professional show of Haddon Hall since the 1800s.
Venues and Extra Events
All the competition shows and weekend professional performances happen on the festival's main stage. From 1994 to 2013, this was the 900-seat Buxton Opera House. From 2014 to 2022, the main stage was the 1,100-seat Royal Hall in Harrogate. Both theatres were designed by Frank Matcham. In 2023, all main stage performances returned to the Buxton Opera House. These shows are almost always played by the "National Festival Orchestra." Reviews often praise the orchestra's high standards and beautiful playing.
The festival also hosts many performances and extra activities in smaller places. In Buxton, these include the 360-seat Pavilion Arts Centre. In Harrogate, some events were held at the 500-seat Harrogate Theatre. Other events took place in various venues around the town.
The "fringe" activities include performances, workshops, and talks. These are often given by members of the original D'Oyly Carte Opera Company and other professionals. There is also a late-night Festival Club. Here, cabaret shows are given each evening after the opera. Sometimes, there is a G&S singalong. Some years have included talks by experts. Rarely performed works by Gilbert or Sullivan alone are also shown. There is also a G&S fair. Here, collectors can buy and sell recordings, DVDs, books, and other items. Fringe events also include concerts, lectures, and church services with Sullivan's church music. They also feature lesser-known works by Gilbert without Sullivan, or Sullivan without Gilbert. Other Victorian and Edwardian works are also performed.
Why People Love the Festival
The festival brings together G&S performers and audiences from all over the world. People can see shows by groups from different countries. Traditional performances mix with more modern ones. Experts can also share their knowledge with many fans.
Buxton is a charming town in the Peak District. It is about an hour southeast of Manchester. It is a great place for summer opera festivals. There are good places to stay and eat. There are also many local sights. These include nearby castles like Peveril Castle. There are also grand homes like Chatsworth House and Haddon Hall. Many limestone caves, like Poole's Cavern, are also nearby. The town's small size allows visitors and performers to meet and mix easily.
Jean Dufty, from Gilbert & Sullivan News, wrote that the amateur performances were very good. She said there is a lovely feeling in Buxton. It feels like Gilbert and Sullivan is thriving and bringing everyone together like a family. The festival is known for being one of the friendliest music festivals. People return year after year to enjoy its special atmosphere. The festival also aims to raise money to help bring G&S back into British schools. The festival has been shown on several British TV shows. It has also been featured in documentary films.
Recordings Available
The festival organizers produce DVDs of most amateur and professional shows. These are from past festivals. Some of the professional shows are also available on CD.
Companies That Have Performed
- Professional
- Carl Rosa Opera Company, London
- Charles Court Opera, London
- Forbear! Theatre, London and touring
- Heritage Opera, touring
- National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company, Buxton and touring
- The New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players, New York City and touring
- Opera della Luna, touring
- Most Successful Amateur UK Award Winners
- Derby Gilbert & Sullivan Company (six championships)
- South Anglia Savoy Players (five championships)
- Festival Productions (Ireland) (three championships)
- Foreign Amateur Competitors
- Blue Hill Troupe (New York City, US)
- The Brussels Light Opera Company (Brussels, Belgium)
- Cape Town G&S (Cape Town, South Africa)
- Fraser Valley Stage (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)
- The Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Chester County (Pennsylvania, US)
- The Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Houston (Texas, US)
- The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Maine
- The Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Victoria (Melbourne, Australia)
- Lamplighters Music Theatre of San Francisco
- Savoy Company (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US)
- SavoyNet (performers from around the world)
- Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society (Washington, US)
- St. Anne's Music and Drama Society (Toronto, Canada)
See also
- List of opera festivals
