THE GILBERT & SULLIVAN STORY

Our production was based on an original script by John D Roake and performed in 1981 and 1989 by Walton & Weybridge Amateur Operatic Society and subsequently as 'An Evening With Gilbert & Sullivan' by the Knaphill & St John's Opera Group. The script was adapted, and additional material written, by Robin Aldworth for the Hatton OS production and the new version was first performed at the Magna Carta Arts Centre in Staines, Middlesex in February 2000.
Click here to read Robin's own account of the events leading up to this production.

'The Gilbert & Sullivan Story' tells the story of the tempestuous relationship between Gilbert, Sullivan and D'Oyly Carte with musical excerpts linked by dialogue and readings from the correspondence of the librettist and composer. The Hatton OS production included a virtually complete performance of 'Trial by Jury' and fully staged excerpts from eleven other operas. Fragments of other compositions by Sullivan (and his contemporaries) were used as incidental music and underscoring. The production was accompanied by a combination of piano, keyboards and percussion but in a small auditorium a single piano would suffice.

If any group is interested, HOS would be prepared to supply one copy of the script, at a nominal cost, for you to run off as many copies as you require and there are no royalties to pay!

Or CLICK HERE to download a copy of the script in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format

The setting used for the production consisted of three screens onto which were back-projected 35mm slides of period photographs, engravings, stage sets and Gilbert's drawings to provide an entertaining and informative background to the narrative and musical items. The complete set of slides, in glass mounts is available for hire. Click here to read more about the slides (with some illustrations). Some of the slides can also be seen in the production photographs

The following are also available (at nominal cost):

1. Production notes including technical information about projection equipment and suggestions for allocation of principal roles and costume plot
2. Slide Cue List and illustrated Slide Plot List
3. Music plot, comprising:
   (a) Detailed list of G&S excerpts used in the Hatton OS production (referring to standard editions of the vocal scores)
   (b) Music for fragments of compositions by Sullivan (and others) used as incidental music or underscoring (all of this music is out of copyright)

Further information about any of this material can be obtained from Rachel Keegan

Page written by Rachel Keegan
Last updated: 1 January 2002