Welcome to the Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Nova Scotia

MEMBERSHIP FORM

The music and mirth began in the later 1800's and one hundred years later, found a new beginning in Nova Scotia. In January of 1977, our Nova Scotia G&S Society was created and, . . . if you do the math, . .yes, . . . the Society's 33rd Anniversary is coming up in February 2010!!

It is clear that the names "Gilbert and Sullivan" are still as inseparable as "bread and butter" and just as enduring (or is that endearing?). The Society was founded by A. G. Scott Savage, a former member of the London based D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. In the Society's first four seasons, he was the musical director and the stage director. It is clear that his love for these Operettas was contagious for the Society continues to this day to enjoy the enthusiasm and talents of its members. This was advanced by directors to follow: Ray Grant, Dr. Walter Kemp, Alan Shepherd, John Dunsworth, Faith Ward, Earl Fralick, J. Frederick Brown, Gisela O'Brien, Garry Williams, Jacqui Good and Jolene Pattison. What started as a small group of performers has grown to current productions which can now involve dozens of people; and at least as many people are contributing behind the scenes as those who perform on the stage (often more!).

There is so much to be done; management, publicity, designing & building sets, costuming, newsletters, make-up & hair, lighting, cultural programs & social events, rehearsals, props, and . . . and . . . whew! What a good thing that so many have caught the G & S bug !! In the past, Society members have been invited to sing on ATV, CBC (Radio and Television), at Heritage Trust Dinners, for Friends of the Citadel Society, in Arthritis Society Fundraisers, and with various other community and church functions. The Society even joined in the festivities as a "Sign of the Times" by presenting Pirates of Penzance during the Visit of the Tall Ships to Nova Scotia in the summer of 2000. We can also be found carolling at Christmastime, inside churches and out. There is a competitive side of the Society, however - particularly visible during the battles between teams on "G & S Trivia Night", or who can come up with the most outrageous song at the pub following rehearsals. Utterly Intense !!

Each spring, our Society presents a major production in Halifax which is also taken on tour (road trip!) to other stages around the province. Wednesday evenings are for rehearsals which increase to include Sunday evenings as the productions demand. In some years, the Society has been known to produce one or even two other productions in addition to the Spring Show.