About
Eastbourne Gilbert & Sullivan Society
50 Years of Eastbourne G&S
Eastbourne Gilbert & Sullivan Society is a friendly, inclusive society for performers of all ages (16+), with a shared mission to keep G&S alive! We do an annual production at the Devonshire Park Theatre in May, as well as other concerts and events throughout the year.
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We usually audition for the main production in December, and start rehearsals after Christmas. We rehearse on Mondays and Wednesdays at St Barnabas church hall in Langney, with the occasional Sunday afternoon rehearsal in the run up to the show. To find out about our latest production, visit the news page of the web site.
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Our History
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The Eastbourne Gilbert and Sullivan Society was founded in 1968, performing many concerts at the Congress Theatre and the Winter Garden before our first major production in 1970: The Pirates of Penzance at The Royal Hippodrome, where we continued to perform until 1987. Our first production at The Devonshire Park Theatre was Ruddigore, and we have been proud to perform there every year since.
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We like to keep things fresh, and do a mix of traditional and updated productions. Most importantly, we like to have fun, and welcome new members of all ages to join us in celebrating G&S together.
Over the past 40 years the Society has been involved in raising awareness and much needed monies for many charities, and each year donates from the sale of programmes to the causes listed in our programme. The Bandstand Concerts have been instrumental in providing entertainment on the sea front and at the same time raising money for Hazel Court School for Children with learning disabilities.
In 2018 we celebrated our 50th anniversary, and in May we performed The Yeomen of the Guard as our half-centenary production, at the Devonshire Park Theatre.
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List of Charities Supported by Eastbourne G & S Society
In memory of Ian Gow Northern Ireland Fund
Hazel Court School for Children with Learning Disabilities
Beating Bowel Cancer formally known as The Crocus Trust
Royal National Lifeboat Institute
The Farm Aid Appeal to help through the Foot and Mouth Crisis
“CRY” Cardiac Risk in the Young
Respiratory Unit at Eastbourne District General Hospital
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund
National Care Homes Action for Children
Tsunami Appeal
The Friends of the Eastbourne District General Hospital
National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA)
Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS UK)
St. Wilfrid’s Hospice
Multiple Sclerosis Society