The Bristol Gilbert & Sullivan Operatic Society invites you to the Grand Duchy of Pfennig-Halbpfennig in Spring 2025 for a journey through one of Gilbert & Sullivan’s most elusive operettas: The Grand Duke. Known as the pair’s final collaboration, The Grand Duke has seldom graced the stage, making it an extraordinary treat for G&S enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
Tickets are now on sale here.
Avast there, me hearties!
If you’ve not already had enough of our piratical shenanigans, or maybe you missed our show in March (where were you?), there will be one more chance to see our Pirates of Penzance – in concert form, at least.
On Saturday 28th September at 7:30pm, we will be performing the songs* from this highly enjoyable operetta as part of the Thornbury Arts Festival. Tickets are available from the festival website, here.
See you there, land-lubbers!
*Please note, this will be a traditional performance and not Dungeons and Dragons themed like our staged show in March.
Hello, everyone!
We know it’s been a while since our last post—sorry about that! After wrapping up our last show and taking a bit of a breather over the summer, we’re back and more excited than ever to kick off a brand new season with the Bristol Gilbert and Sullivan Society.
Mark your calendars because we’re starting with a bang on Tuesday, 3 September, with our Launch Night at our usual rehearsal venue. Whether you’re a seasoned member or thinking about joining us for the first time, we can’t wait to see you there!
This season promises to be something special as we prepare to bring you the The Grand Duke from 27-29 March 2025. It’s going to be a fantastic production, and we’d love for you to be a part of it—whether on stage, behind the scenes, or cheering us on from the audience.
Stay tuned for more details about our Launch Night and everything we have in store. We’re thrilled to get started and hope you are too!
See you soon!
The Bristol Gilbert and Sullivan Society
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.
Tickets for our spring production of Patience are now on sale here!
Join us in October for a celebration of all things G&S – starring our wonderful patrons, Richard Suart and Pamela Rudge.
We loved seeing you in the audience for The Zoo and HMS Pinafore! Here are some of our favourite pictures from the shows.
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 |
