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Here's a how-de-do!

We have fought many battles during our twenty-seven years of staging the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival and although we have been bloodied on many occasions, we have always emerged unbowed and ready to fight another year.
But sadly, we must announce that our invisible enemy COVID-19 has defeated us. We are devastated and saddened. It is particularly poignant that the first G&S Festival following Ian Smith’s passing last year will be the first to be cancelled in our history. We were determined to make Ian’s final programme the very best Festival ever, dedicated to his memory!

Here’s a pretty mess!

The Festival has survived for 26 years without any Arts Council or other public funding. We have worked tirelessly to keep the Festival alive through recessions, depressions and disputes.
It is becoming increasingly likely that we will not be able to access the Arts Council emergency fund because we have never had funding from them before.  We are going to appeal and we are also exploring each and every avenue to get us through this difficult period.  We promise we will not give up! Our campaign is just beginning and we will make sure you know exactly how we are doing and what we achieve at each and every step.

Witness our distress!

So, cancel the Festival in Buxton and Harrogate we must. Our main concern is the safety of our audiences, our performers, orchestra members, staff and volunteers. We just cannot risk putting anyone in danger, and we have no idea what the coming months are going to bring.
The decision is now out of our hands. It was announced on April 3rd that the Harrogate International Centre would become one of the Nightingale Hospitals opening later in the month.

Here’s a pretty state of things!

If the Festival is going to continue into 2021 and beyond, we need you to help us like never before. The Festival receives NO PUBLIC FUNDING and relies on ticket sales and donations from the “Friends of the Festival” Charity to survive. We have no large reserves to call on to cover the 2020 losses, so we are asking for your help to sustain this unique event.

HOW YOU CAN BE A FESTIVAL HERO

If you have booked tickets to the Festival, you can complete the online form or email festivalheroes@gsfestivals.org and advise us how you would like us to treat your ticket money. Please include your Full Name, Address and Ticket Order Number in any email correspondence.

If you have purchased tickets...

If you are able to convert all or part of what you have paid for your tickets into a donation, you will be a G&S Festival Hero! If you are a UK tax payer we can also claim Gift Aid on your donation increasing the value by 25%. Or, if you cannot donate the full amount, please consider taking vouchers to use for next year’s Festival.
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If you have not purchased tickets...

There are still plenty of ways for you to support us. You can make a donation to the International Gilbert & Sullivan Association by clicking here, calling 01422 323252 with a credit/debit card or by bank transfer (details here).
You could also become a Friend of the Association or join our Festival Lottery, with all proceeds going to support the Festival.
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How Will We Thank Our Festival Heroes?

We are working on a range of exciting events for our Festival Heroes!
  1. There will be a complimentary day of entertainment to say “Thank You” during the Festival in 2021 including a fantastic concert with pre-drinks reception in Buxton (in the PAC) and in Harrogate (in The Royal Hall) featuring the very best of our National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company performers.
  2. Your very own “I AM A G&S FESTIVAL HERO” badge to wear with pride at next year’s Festival!
  3. Your very own “G&S FESTIVAL HERO” T-shirt to wear with your badge…!
  4. The knowledge that you will be saving the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival and keeping Gilbert & Sullivan alive for future generations to enjoy.
  5. You will have an amazing and unique Festival to visit in Buxton and/or Harrogate in August 2021 and in future years where you can meet old friends and make new friends; see fantastic performances, and have an all-round wonderful time.
  6. We are planning a short G&S weekend break in Harrogate in the New Year and details will be released just as soon as possible. Our Festival Heroes will be invited to a special reception and ‘thank you’ there too.

Here's a pretty how-de-do!

Our thoughts are with our Festival family during this difficult time and with our Opera Company, orchestra, singers, creative teams, volunteers and the many people who bring you a fantastic Festival every year. We hope you all keep safe and well and we look forward to seeing you just as soon as we can. And don’t forget, if anyone needs a chat or you are feeling a bit lonely, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We will be here on 01422 323 252 if we can. Some of us are volunteering for the NHS so may be unavailable from time to time.
We have some great ideas to entertain you in the weeks and months ahead so make sure you sign up to our email list here and keep up to date with us on Facebook and Twitter.
We will get through this together!

 

Janet, Neil, Oliver and Charles
The International G&S Festival Team
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