BOUNCING back from the coronavirus pandemic, touring company, The West Yorkshire Savoyards, will be returning after a year’s absence to the Victoria Hall, Settle on Saturday, September 11.
Performing the comic-opera HMS Pinafore, it will mark the start of the company’s autumn tour across Yorkshire.
The experienced company of talented musicians and actors, drawn from the best local operatic societies across the north of England, have been taking strict Covid precautions while rehearsing for the witty, uplifting and always popular comic-opera by the masters of musical comedy, Gilbert and Sullivan.
Actor and director, Graham Weston, who plays the lead role of Sir Joseph Porter KCB, like the rest of the cast and crew, has been double-jabbed and is testing regularly for Covid in a production which has been only slightly altered to enable social distancing.
“We took the decision last June to go ahead with our postponed tour” says the ‘Savs’’ chairman, John Carter.
“Having been in touch with local theatres we were keen to try and support them by staging HMS Pinafore, one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most popular comic creations. We hope that even those not familiar with this wonderful work will come out to experience the joy of live theatre again and support their local venue.”
The Victoria Hall has continued to operate safely with enhanced cleaning, seat allocation and the policy of putting audience safety first.
HMS Pinafore is renowned for its wit, satire and musical excellence. “Energising and enthusing to watch ... punchy, toe-tapping and thrilling to hear!” is how it has been described in recent productions by the company.
Television presenter Alan Titchmarsh, broadcaster, novelist, journalist, gardener and former president of the West Yorkshire Savoyards 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 enthral their audiences. With Sullivan’s tuneful melodies and Gilbert’s rapier-sharp wit coupled with the company’s high standards, any audience can be assured of a great night out.”
Tickets for HMS Pinafore on September 11 at 7.30pm are online at www.settlevictoriahall.org.uk or by phone on 01729 825718
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