International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival

Gilbert and Sullivan represent quintessential Victorian England. The brilliant, witty lyrics of W S Gilbert dazzle alongside the attractive melodies of Arthur Sullivan. In 2021, the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival will present another exciting and memorable programme of operas.

Our tour opens with a performance of The Yeomen of the Guard by Forbear! Theatre. Known for their innovative approach, precise singing and excellent choreography, the company will present what is considered to be one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s darkest works, featuring one of Sullivan’s most ambitious scores.  

We look forward to no less than four further productions, each performed by the professional National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company. Perennial favourites The Pirates of Penzance and HMS Pinafore will be staged, as well as The Mikado – the most frequently performed Savoy opera. We also look forward to a production of Patience, a satire on the Aesthetic Movement of the 1870s and 1880s. 

These performances will take place in the Grade-II listed surroundings of the Edwardian Royal Hall in Harrogate. The musical programme will be complemented by lectures given by our Tour Director and an opportunity to meet one of the festival’s Trustees.

We will stay throughout at The Yorkshire Hotel, centrally located in Harrogate, a short walk from the Royal Hall.

Tour Director Donald Maxwell is an operatic baritone, director and lecturer. Donald has been involved with the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival for many years. He performs with opera companies worldwide, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, where he featured in La Bohème in 2018.