Click the dates below to reveal all the performances on a given day.
Wednesday 7th August
Royal Hall Events
The Gondoliers
THE NATIONAL GILBERT AND SULLIVAN OPERA COMPANY
The National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company returns with a sparkling new production of The Gondoliers. This is a visually stunning show with toe-tapping tunes and glorious, lively dances and has proved to be one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most enduring successes.
Thursday 8th August
Fringe Event
Learn About The Mikado & Pirates
Stephen Turnbull
Utopia Pavilion – 10:30
Stephen Turnbull, secretary of the Sir Arthur Sullivan Society is, as you would expect, a Sullivan expert and this morning he digs out of his treasure chest some fascinating background information to The Mikado and The Pirates of Penzance including rare musical illustrations.
The Yeomen of the Guard
Hull University (UNIFest)
Utopia Theatre
We are always delighted to welcome the return of Hull University. Previous winners and runners-up of the UNIFest competition you can be sure of a strong start to this year’s competition – a firm favourite for many G&S lovers.
Royal Hall Event
Patience
FORBEAR! THEATRE
Forbear! Theatre is a professional company that has been producing G&S since 2015. They treat operas like ordinary plays and use the text and music to dictate their movement. They made a very popular debut at the Festival last year with a sparkling Iolanthe and we are delighted to welcome them back for our 26th Festival with what is sure to be a most entertaining Patience.
Friday 9th August
Fringe Events
In Conversation With…
Bruce Graham
Utopia Pavilion – 10:30
In Conversation With Bruce Graham. We are brigning back this very popular morning series where our Festival Director chats with major stars of the National G&S Opera Company. And what a start this morning! Bruce Graham has starred in many West End Productions – most recently Follies. Come and hear his story.
Ruddigore
Birmingham University G&S Society (UNIFest)
Utopia Theatre
Innovation has been one of the trademarks of Birmingham’s previous visits to the Festival. Now celebrating their eleventh year as a society this will be their fifth time in Harrogate. They are known as the “university’s award-winning comic opera society”, always on the lookout for enthusiastic singers.
Royal Hall Event
Iolanthe
NEW LONDON OPERA GROUP
The New London Opera Group will be hoping to go one better at next year’s Festival. in 2017 they were second runners-up. In 2018 they were runners-up with an outstanding performance of Patience. In 2019 they return with Iolanthe, the story of a fairy who has been banished from fairy land to marry a mortal. Will 2019 be the year they are crowned International Champions?
Saturday 10th August
Fringe Events
The Festival & Backstage Tour
Ian Smith
Utopia Pavilion – 10:30
Festival Founder and Artistic Director Ian Smith tells us how each Festival develops and what goes into the mix. We then go walkabout and see for ourselves the backstage secrets – the scenery and the hundreds costumes and props involved in brining the National G&S Opera Company to Harrogate.
The Sorcerer
Royal Holloway University (UNIFest)
Utopia Theatre – 14:30
Last year saw the debut of the Royal Holloway University Savoy Opera Society in Harrogate – and what a debut it was. They were runners-up in the overall competition and in addition won the best chorus prize; and shared the best female performer award.
Royal Hall Events
The Mikado
THE NATIONAL GILBERT AND SULLIVAN OPERA COMPANY
14:30 – The Royal Hall
In the topsy turvy world of The Mikado, flirting is punishable by death and Nanki-Poo (the son of The Mikado disguised as a wandering minstrel) attempts to escape from the formidable Katisha and into the arms of his love, Yum-Yum. Meanwhile Ko-Ko, the hapless Lord High Executioner has much on his mind and needs to work hard to avoid his own decapitation!
The Pirates of Penzance
THE NATIONAL GILBERT AND SULLIVAN OPERA COMPANY
19:30 – The Royal Hall
The Pirates of Penzance is one of the most enduringly popular of Gilbert and Sullivan’s great comic creations full of memorable melodies you will be humming all the way home. Jam-packed with sentimental, swashbuckling pirates who are really peers of the realm, a completely dotty Major General and a bumbling bunch of hopeless but hilarious policemen, what could possibly go wrong?
Sunday 11th August
Fringe Events
Annual G&S Church Service
11:00am
Iolanthe
Durham Opera Ensemble (UNIFest)
Utopia Theatre – 14:30
Making their debut at the 2019 Festival will be Durham Opera Ensemble (DOE) a student opera company regularly showcasing some of Britain’s finest student musical talent in and around Durham University.
Royal Hall Events
The Pirates of Penzance
THE NATIONAL GILBERT AND SULLIVAN OPERA COMPANY
14:30 – The Royal Hall
The Pirates of Penzance is one of the most enduringly popular of Gilbert and Sullivan’s great comic creations full of memorable melodies you will be humming all the way home. Jam-packed with sentimental, swashbuckling pirates who are really peers of the realm, a completely dotty Major General and a bumbling bunch of hopeless but hilarious policemen, what could possibly go wrong?
The Yeomen of the Guard
THE NATIONAL GILBERT AND SULLIVAN OPERA COMPANY
19:30 – The Royal Hall
The Yeomen of the Guard, set in the Tower of London, is deeper and darker than the usual comic Gilbert & Sullivan operas and is perhaps the most emotionally engaging of the canon. Many consider the score to be Sullivan’s finest. Sarah Helsby Hughes directs a brand-new production and Richard Gauntlett stars as Jack Point.
Monday 12th August
Fringe Events
Sullivan’s Light of the World
Ian Bradley
Utopia Pavilion – 10:30
The Light of the World – Sullivan’s oratorio on the life of Jesus was one of his most ambitious and majestic works. Using extracts from the recent professional recording, Ian Bradley introduces and explores this intriguing and important choral work into which Sullivan put his musical talents and his faith.
Ruddigore
King’s College London (UNIFest)
Utopia Theatre – 14:30
King’s College are the reigning UNIFest champions for their memorable “puppet” production of Trial by Jury coupled with HMS Pinafore. In addition the group won best male voice, best costumes and best director. We can’t wait to see what they will do with Ruddigore!
Royal Hall Event
The Sorcerer
PEAK OPERA
Peak Opera was founded in 2005 especially to perform at the Festival in Buxton, hence the name Peak. Over the years they have gone from strength to strength, drawing in incredibly talented performers from a wide variety of sources. They were runners up in 2014 and 2016 and we can’t wait to see their production of firm Festival favourite: The Sorcerer.
Tuesday 13th August
Fringe Events
What G&S Women Can Teach Us
Adriane Berg
Utopia Pavilion – 10:30
Adriane Berg delighted her audience last year when she presented a light-hearted yet serious look at “love, looks and laughter as G&S take on ageing.” Adriane is an American Emmy Award winning broadcaster and host of the radio show “Generation Bold – The Fountain of Truth About Ageing.” Don’t miss this sequel.
Pirates of Penzance
University of York G&S Society (UNIFest)
Utopia Theatre – 14:30
Now in its 46th season it is our pleasure to welcome the return of York University G&S Society. They are a very active all-inclusive society that rehearse and perform three or four musicals throughout the year. In Autumn term they present, a collaborative concert with the JORVIK York G&S Society and in Spring, they perform their main, fully staged G&S production in the Joseph Rowntree Theatre.
Royal Hall Event
Trial by Jury & H.M.S. Pinafore
BUS PASS OPERA
Established exclusively for the over 60s, this will be Bus Pass Opera’s sixth production and there is no doubt their audience support has grown year on year into something of a cult following. The performers themselves boast an incredible pedigree or experience in performing Gilbert & Sullivan and they certainly demonstrate that age is no barrier to producing a spectacular show. Join us on August 13th for a brilliant double-barrel production of Trial by Jury & HMS Pinafore.
Wednesday 14th August
Fringe Events
About Gondoliers & Yeomen
Stephen Turnbull
Utopia Pavilion – 10:30
Stephen Turnbull returns to introduce us to some of the fascinating background to two of this year’s Opera Company productions. As long time secretary of the Sir Arthur Sullivan Society, with one of the largest G&S record collections in the world, he is the ideal commentator to the history of these two favourite shows.
Unbreakable Bond
Catrine Kirkman
Utopia Theatre – 14:30
Introducing Catrine Kirkman in a specially written one-woman show about the soubrette star of the original Savoy Operas, Jessie Bond. With David Eaton at the piano, the show explores the colourful life of this fantastic woman whose captivating stage presence drew admiration from both Gilbert and Sullivan in her D’Oyly Carte debut creating the role of Cousin Hebe in HMS Pinafore.
Royal Hall Events
The Mikado
14:30 – The Royal Hall
THE NATIONAL GILBERT AND SULLIVAN OPERA COMPANY
In the topsy turvy world of The Mikado, flirting is punishable by death and Nanki-Poo (the son of The Mikado disguised as a wandering minstrel) attempts to escape from the formidable Katisha and into the arms of his love, Yum-Yum. Meanwhile Ko-Ko, the hapless Lord High Executioner has much on his mind and needs to work hard to avoid his own decapitation!
The Yeomen of the Guard
THE NATIONAL GILBERT AND SULLIVAN OPERA COMPANY
19:30 – The Royal Hall
The Yeomen of the Guard, set in the Tower of London, is deeper and darker than the usual comic Gilbert & Sullivan operas and is perhaps the most emotionally engaging of the canon. Many consider the score to be Sullivan’s finest. Sarah Helsby Hughes directs a brand-new production and Richard Gauntlett stars as Jack Point.
Thursday 15th August
Fringe Events
D’Oyly Carte: Inside Out
Roberta Morrell
Utopia Pavilion – 10:30
Roberta Morrell is back with more recollections from her latest book “The D’Oyly Carte – Inside Out!” Roberta is a highly respected figure in the global Gilbert and Sullivan community and honorary president of the New York G&S Society; an ex-original D’Oyly Carte principal, director and author. She will be telling more of her D’Oyly Carte life.
Iolanthe
Oxford University G&S Society (UNIFest)
Utopia Theatre – 14:30
We are delighted to welcome the Oxford Gilbert & Sullivan Society to this year’s UNIFest. The society is one of Oxford’s oldest and most prestigious, officially dating back to 1927, although it existed unofficially for some years before then. Their alumni include national directors and conductors, and the society was featured in the Oscar-winning film, ‘Chariots of Fire’.
Royal Hall Event
Princess Ida
SAVOYNET PERFORMING GROUP
SavoyNet are the current International Champions following their outstanding production of Patience last year. The SavoyNet Performing Group first performed at the Festival in 1997 and has presented a full-length opera every year since 1999. After its innovative production of Thespis in 2014, SavoyNet became the only group to complete the full 14 opera canon at the Festival. Join us on August 15th for a phenomenal production of the beautiful Princess Ida.
Friday 16th August
Fringe Events
Trial by Jury & The Zoo
LOpSoc, Southampton University (UNIFest)
Utopia Theatre – 14:30
LOpSoc, the award-winning University of Southampton Light Opera Society are looking forward to their return to Harrogate. This friendly group with a strong, enthusiastic community of present and past members put on at least two shows and one tour each academic year. They also have regular socials, workshops for members and recitals within the society.
Royal Hall Events
H.M.S. Pinafore
CHARLES COURT OPERA
14:30 – The Royal Hall
The ‘Masters of Gilbert and Sullivan in small spaces’ Charles Court Opera will be presenting a fresh take on HMS Pinafore, the earliest enduring success of Gilbert and Sullivan’s famous collaboration which remains a firm favourite with audiences. It contains some of Sullivan’s sunniest music and tells the story of Josephine the Captain’s daughter and her love for a lowly sailor Ralph Rackstraw, despite being promised in marriage to the First Lord of the Admiralty, Sir Joseph Porter.
Ruddigore
CHARLES COURT OPERA
19:30 – The Royal Hall
Charles Court Opera has been described as one of the leading chamber companies taking opera and theatre into previously inaccessible places, and as leaders of the current re invigoration of Gilbert & Sullivan in London. will be presenting a brand new production of Ruddigore. It promises an evening of infection choruses, great Sullivan music and the unique wit and energy of a Charles Court Opera production to be enjoyed by all ages
Saturday 17th August
Fringe Events
The Festival & Backstage Tour
Ian Smith
Utopia Pavilion – 10:30
If you missed it last week – here’s another opportunity. Ian Smith tells us how each festival develops and what goes into the mix. We then go walkabout and see for ourselves the backstage secrets – the scenery, the hundreds of costumes and props involved in bringing the National G&S Opera Company to Harrogate.
The Pirates of Penzance
Festival Youth Production
Utopia Theatre – 14:30
Always a highlight of the festival is our annual youth production. Youngsters aged between nine and 19 travel from home and overseas for a week of intensive rehearsals with a professional director and conductor. The fruits of their labour – an outstanding new full-scale production. This year it is that all time favourite “The Pirates of Penzance.” Don’t miss it!
Royal Hall Events
The Yeomen of the Guard
THE NATIONAL GILBERT AND SULLIVAN OPERA COMPANY
The Yeomen of the Guard, set in the Tower of London, is deeper and darker than the usual comic Gilbert & Sullivan operas and is perhaps the most emotionally engaging of the canon. Many consider the score to be Sullivan’s finest. Sarah Helsby Hughes directs a brand-new production and Richard Gauntlett stars as Jack Point.
The Mikado
THE NATIONAL GILBERT AND SULLIVAN OPERA COMPANY
In the topsy turvy world of The Mikado, flirting is punishable by death and Nanki-Poo (the son of The Mikado disguised as a wandering minstrel) attempts to escape from the formidable Katisha and into the arms of his love, Yum-Yum. Meanwhile Ko-Ko, the hapless Lord High Executioner has much on his mind and needs to work hard to avoid his own decapitation!
Sunday 18th August
Fringe Events
In Conversation With…
Richard Gauntlett
Utopia Pavilion – 10:30
Our final “In Conversation” is with our comedy star Richard Gauntlett. He has had a fascinating career from starring alongside Michael Crawford in “Barnum” to chairing the famous Leeds City Varieties; writing and performing in pantomime and performing on board some of the world’s major cruise liners – and of course directing and performing with our own Opera Company.
Festival Lunch
Friends of the Festival
The Crown Hotel – 12:45
Come and join our G&S Themed final day lunch at the Crown Hotel in Harrogate. We have a number of surprises in store – and you will have time to get across to the Royal Hall for the matinees.
Royal Hall Events
The Gondoliers
THE NATIONAL GILBERT AND SULLIVAN OPERA COMPANY
14:30 – The Royal Hall
The National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company returns with a sparkling new production of The Gondoliers. This is a visually stunning show with toe-tapping tunes and glorious, lively dances and has proved to be one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most enduring successes.
The Pirates of Penzance
THE NATIONAL GILBERT AND SULLIVAN OPERA COMPANY
19:30 – The Royal Hall
The Pirates of Penzance is one of the most enduringly popular of Gilbert and Sullivan’s great comic creations full of memorable melodies you will be humming all the way home. Jam-packed with sentimental, swashbuckling pirates who are really peers of the realm, a completely dotty Major General and a bumbling bunch of hopeless but hilarious policemen, what could possibly go wrong?