About Us

The NODA award-winning Christchurch Gilbert and Sullivan Society was founded in 1984 and has performed G & S operettas annually, (apart from the "Covid Years" 2020 and 2021).Our last production was THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE at The Regent Theatre, Christchurch, Dorset in September 2024.We are a friendly company that welcomes new singing members. If you are interested in joining us, come along to one of our rehearsals on Thursday evenings from February to August at ...Christchurch Junior School, Clarendon Road, Christchurch. BH23 2AAFor more details contact us at:- info@christchurchgands.org

PRESIDENT Anne Jagger

COMMITTEE

*Honorary Chairperson: Mark Ward

*Honorary Vice Chairperson Grahame Goodyer

*Honorary Secretary: Helen Kuster

*Honorary Treasurer: Brian Oliver

*Director: Adam Davis

*Director: David Sandham

Members: Robert Savage

Gordon Short

Jan Bishop

Mike Billington

*Ex-Officio Members

Publicity Team: - Jan Bishop, Chris Knox, Gordon Short, Lucy Smith

A short history of Christchurch Gilbert and Sullivan Society

In 2024 Christchurch Gilbert and Sullivan Society celebrated their 40th anniversary performed The Pirates Of Penzance at the Regent on the 5th to the 7th September.

The company was founded in 1984 by Nigel Finch and the first production was Iolanthe complete with fir trees donated by the Forestry Commission for the 'fairy glade': the show coincided with the re-opening of The Regent as a community arts centre.

Accompaniment for the first two years was two pianos before they progressed to an eighteen piece orchestra, which they still use today remaining proud to be the only amateur company performing regularly at the Regent still to do so.

Over the years the company has gone from strength to strength, being nominated and winning several awards. It has performed not only the well-known operettas but also stepped into the unknown with a production of Thespis - the first and lost Gilbert and Sullivan collaboration, the society’s version being reconstructed by two Canadians but fully orchestrated by Nigel Finch.

Also two shows based on the music of Sullivan have been produced – Heavenly G & S and A Gilbert and Sullivan Christmas Carol but their production of Utopia Ltd in their 25th year, 2008, completed the full set of fourteen G & S Operettas having already performed the other rarity, The Grand Duke in that show’s centenary year, 1996.

The society has had a number of members who have performed for many years with the company, including two founder members – Christopher Root and Anne Jagger - who were still on the stage for the 2024 production of The Pirates of Penzance.

Several backstage helpers have been involved since the society’s inception and their dedication to the company is as important as those who appear on the stage.

Finally, Christchurch G & S Society are delighted to have been able to donate money to many local charities over their lifetime and hope to be able to continue to do so.