Roll up!

Launch night is less than two weeks away, and we can’t wait to reveal our new production team and their vision for The Pirates of Penzance.

Principal auditions will be held on Tuesday 19th September, and more details will be given at launch night.

Why not roll the dice and come along…?

Looking for new members!

September may seem a long way away, but we’re counting down the weeks to the launch night for our next production: The Pirates of Penzance.

We’re excited to launch the new season, and hoping to welcome lots of new cast and crew members. We’re looking for singers, performers, set painters, costume makers – and many more opportunities are available!

If you’re interested in joining us, come along to our launch night or get in touch to find out more.

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 8pmSt 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].