Anchors aweigh for H.M.S Pinafore!

H.M.S. Pinafore is setting sail and heading to Scarborough this autumn in a new touring production which looks set to be a splash hit from the renowned West Yorkshire Savoyards.  With a fair wind and a following breeze, as we come out of lockdown, the ‘Savs’ are planning a welcome return to the YMCA Theatre at 3pm on Sunday 19 September with one of Gilbert & Sullivan’s favourite comic-operas, loved for its wonderful music, gleefully entertaining storyline and salty satire.

Filled with Sullivan's memorable melodies, H.M.S. Pinafore is a joyful and popular production performed by an experienced cast drawn from across the North of England. The fourth collaboration between Gilbert & Sullivan was their first blockbuster hit. It opened May 28, 1878 at the Opera Comique and ran for 571 performances becoming a huge fad in England, as well as in America.

The Yorkshire based touring company which specialises in rousing productions of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas has received the backing of TV presenter Alan Titchmarsh. The well-known broadcaster, novelist, journalist and gardener, said, "The works of Gilbert and Sullivan continue to inspire and amuse generation after generation of music-lovers and theatre-goers, and the West Yorkshire Savoyards continue to enthrall their audiences.  With Sullivan's tuneful melodies and Gilbert's rapier-sharp wit (Stephen Sondheim considers him the best of all lyricists), coupled with the W.Y.S. high standards, any audience can be assured of a great performance!”.

Once again, the Director of the Savoyards production is ex D’Oyly Carte actor and director, Alistair Donkin, while Musical Director is Oliver Longstaff.