Join us in October for a celebration of all things G&S – starring our wonderful patrons, Richard Suart and Pamela Rudge.
60th Anniversary Gala Concert
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Thanks for coming!
We loved seeing you in the audience for The Zoo and HMS Pinafore! Here are some of our favourite pictures from the shows.
HMS Pinafore and The Zoo – Tickets on sale NOW!
HMS Pinafore & The Zoo Auditions
Auditions for this season’s shows will be be held THIS Tuesday, and there’s still time to express an interest in auditioning!
When and Where?
Auditions will be on Tuesday 12 October at St Teresa’s Community Hall, 71 North Gloucester Road, Filton (email [email protected] for details). If you are not available on this date, please speak to Hannah or Pete to see if alternative arrangements can be made (note these will occur before the 12th).
Audition Fees
This year there is an audition fee of £20. This is included in the annual £95 membership fee, so if you have paid your subs there is nothing further owed to audition. If you pay the audition fee only and then get a part, the remaining £75 will be owed in order for you to take part in the show.
You will not be allowed to audition if you have not paid the £20 audition fee (you may turn up on the day with this fee in hand).
Schedule an Audition
If you would like to audition, please email Hannah Coleman at [email protected] to be allocated a time slot. You only need to prepare material for one character, even if you would like to be considered for multiple roles.
Rehearsal Availability
Please familiarise yourself with the rehearsal schedule before auditioning, and inform the MD and Director of any dates you are unable to make – including those where you don’t think you would be called. Please note that the Rehearsal Schedule is currently at Draft issue and specifics may change depending on the disclosed availabilities of cast members, especially post-Christmas.
| Role | Audition Material |
| Sir Joseph Porter
Comic Baritone |
“When I Was a Lad” – all verses
Dia: p.7, “You’ve a remarkably fine crew, Captain Corcoran”, to end of scene. |
| Captain Corcoran
Lyric Baritone |
“Fair Moon To Thee I Sing”
Dia: p14, “How sweety he carols forth…” to end of scene |
| Ralph Rackstraw
Tenor |
“A Maiden Fair to See”
Dia: p10 “Aye, Lady- no other than poor Ralph Rackstraw”, to end of scene |
| Dick Deadeye
Bass-baritone |
“He thinks he’s won his Josephine” – from Finale Act 1
Dia: p2 “I have thought it often” to end of scene |
| Bill Bobstay, Boatswain
Lyric baritone |
Any appropriate piece from above |
| Bob Becket, Carpenter
Bass |
Any appropriate piece from above |
| Josephine
Soprano |
“Sorry her lot”
Dia: p10 “It is useless”, to end of scene |
| Buttercup
Alto |
“I’m called Little Buttercup”
Dia: p14, “How sweety he carols forth…” to end of scene |
| Hebe
Mezzo-Soprano |
Any appropriate piece from above |
| Carboy
Tenor – male or female |
“I Loved Her Fondly”
Dia: As for Ralph |
| Tom
Baritone or Mezzo |
“Ladies and Gentlemen”
Dia: As for Ralph |
| Mr Grinder
Baritone |
As for Dick Deadeye |
| Laetitia Grinder
Soprano |
As for Josephine |
| Eliza Smith
Mezzo Soprano |
As for Josephine or Buttercup |
We’re BACK.
What do you get if you cross the heartbroken director of a show that was cancelled two weeks before opening night, with the person responsible for maintaining the BGSOS website? That’s right, folks: you get 18 months between website updates and an angry clamour of would-be performers and audience members asking, “Where on earth are the Bristol G&S Operatic Society, and what is their next show going to be?”
Well, that director has finally got her act together, has waded through the backlog of spam and WordPress updates, and is ready to deliver all the exciting news.
Our 2022 Shows: HMS Pinafore and The Zoo
Renowned director Hannah Coleman will be joined by a brand new MD to celebrate the Society’s 60th anniversary with a fantastic double bill: HMS Pinafore and The Zoo. The shows will be performed in the Redgrave Theatre from 30 March to 2 April 2022. If you’d like to join the fun, come along to our launch night or get in touch.
Launch Night & AGM
Tuesday 14 September at 8pm
St Teresa’s Church Hall, Filton
Join us for our (short) AGM, then hear from our director on her vision for the 2021/22 season. After a good tea break, and a chance to natter with friends, we will be having a short sing with our new Musical Director.
All are welcome, but please note that Covid security measures will be in place. Contact us for more info!
Auditions – The Yeomen of the Guard
When and Where?
Auditions for our April 2020 production of The Yeomen of the Guard will be held on Saturday 28th September 2019 at director Sarah Nash’s house (email [email protected] for details). If you would like to audition but are not available on this date, please get in touch to see if alternative arrangements can be made.
Important Dates
- Sunday 29th March, Band Call
- Monday 30th March, Technical Rehearsal
- Tuesday 31st March, Dress Rehearsal
- Wednesday 1st April – Saturday 4th April, Performances
Audition Material
Please click here to see a list of the audition material. Page numbers refer to the online libretto found here.
Audition Fees
This year there is an audition fee of £20, which is included in the annual £95 membership fee. If you pay the audition fee only and then get a principal role, the remaining £75 will be owed in order for you to take part in the show.
How to Schedule an Audition
If you would like to audition, please email John Ditcham at [email protected] to be allocated a time slot. You only need to prepare material for one character, even if you would like to be considered for multiple roles.
Rehearsal Availability
Please familiarise yourself with the Rehearsal Schedule before auditioning, and inform Sarah of any dates you are unable to make – including those where you don’t think you would be called. Please note that the Rehearsal Schedule is currently at Draft issue and specifics may change depending on the availability of cast members.
Contact the Director
If you would like to express an interest in a non-singing role, have questions about any of the audition pieces, or would like to discuss your interpretation of a character, please contact Sarah at [email protected]
Yeomen of the Guard – Launch Night
Kicking off our new season!
Ahead of our 2020 production of The Yeomen of the Guard, we are delighted to invite new, existing and returning members to the first rehearsal. This will include a presentation from our Director, Sarah Nash, about her vision for the show, and refreshments, as well as hearing some of the music led by our Musical Director, Will Stevens.
When and where?
Tuesday 10th September, 8:00 pm, Church of the Good Shepherd, Bishop Road, BS7 8NA.
Reviews of previous productions
…a professional style productions, especially the excellent cast, who were all well suited to their roles.
This was a fast-paced show with an exceptional cast throughout.
It was the best evening out I’ve had in a long time. I was ‘blown away’ by the standard of the production – and it was so much fun!
Every production that I have seen by this Society has been the perfect interpretation of Gilbert and Sullivan, with an excellent chorus and always the right casting of the main characters.