Patience
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11th–14th June 2025 | The Grove Theatre, Eastbourne
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Eastbourne Gilbert & Sullivan Society is proud to present Patience—a rarely performed G&S classic, bursting with wit, whimsy and more than a touch of silliness.
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This year’s production gives the operetta a clever contemporary twist, swapping velvet-clad poets for self-obsessed influencers and image-conscious "aesthetes". It’s Gilbert & Sullivan like you’ve never seen it before—yet just as they intended: to mock the fashions and fads of the day.​
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What’s it all about?
Patience follows two rival poets—Reginald Bunthorne (who’s pretending to be deep and mysterious) and Archibald Grosvenor (who actually is perfect, and utterly cursed by it). A group of lovesick maidens have ditched their soldier boyfriends in pursuit of more aesthetic ways
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At the centre of the chaos is Patience, a kind-hearted dairymaid who’s baffled by all this fuss over love and poetry. But when both poets fall for her, things get complicated... and hilarious.
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Expect melodrama, mistaken identities, and some of the cleverest lyrics in British theatre—all set to Sullivan’s sparkling score.
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✨ A rarely staged G&S treasure—don’t miss your chance to see it live!
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🎤 A brilliant local cast, directed by Cate Couch with musical direction by Tony Biggin
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🎠A bold, modern staging that brings the satire bang up to date
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🇬🇧 A delightfully British night out, full of charm, character, and comedy
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Rehearsal photos
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Join us at The Grove Theatre from 11th to 14th June 2025 for an evening of laughter, lyricism and lovingly performed local theatre.
Weds-Fri at 7.30pm, plus Thursday 2pm and Saturday 1pm
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Company
Director: Cate Couch
Musical Director: Tony Biggin
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Principals
Reginald Bunthorne - Paul Eccles
Patience - Yvonne Lloyd
Archibald Grosvenor - Adrian Samuel
Duke of Dunstable - Nigel Lawton
Major Murgatroyd - Richard Tanner
Lady Jane - Margot Miller
Colonel Calverly - Alex Abrahams
Lady Ella - Louise Cleland
Lady Saphir - Rowan Stanfield
Lady Angela - Sue Davies
Solicitor - Bill Telford
Festival Director - Roger Clough
Ensemble
Julie Bourne
Sophie Gurney
Helen Morbey
Jonathan Statter
Stan Fillery
David Joyce
Trevor Allen
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