Our chairman John Woodward Roberts has given an insight into "the thriving theatre groups, both professional and amateur, that perform the works of Gilbert and Sullivan to this day" in the Classical Music Magazine's article The Enduring Love of The Savoy

by Angela K

 

 

HMS Pinafore wins Second Prize in the Annual New Year's Day Sunninghill Wheelbarrow Race!

See Photo Gallery - Ascot Matters

Our Admiral John Beckitt steered his crew to Second Prize in the Fancy Dress competition, but alas, his beer-swilling crew came in last after imbibing heartily at every Drink Station. The wheelbarrow was expertly crafted by Tony Maffre and the effort raised a magnificent £255 for the Rotary Club charity, The Ascot Day Centre.

 

 

John Beckitt outside the Carpenter's Arms

Stupendous Success for Salad Days

It's official! Read the NODA review

 

National Operatic & Dramatic Association

Our Last Show

The Sunningdale Savoy Chorus last show was  "Salad Days" by Julian Slade and Dorothy Reynolds. This delightful coming of age musical was once the longest running show in the West End until "Oliver" came along. It tells the story of Jane and Timothy and their search for something to do after leaving University. All ends happily of course but not until they have had a series of adventures involving a tramp, a magic piano, a spooky uncle and a flying saucer. Its songs include "I Sit in the Sun", "Oh Look At Me", "We're Looking For A Piano", "The Time Of My Life" "The Saucer Song" and many more. The society  performed Salad Days from the 15th to the 17th of July in 2010 at the Rose Theatre at St Mary's Ascot.

A Gala Year

In 2011 the Sunningdale Savoy Chorus will have existed for 20 years and its Committee are  planning a gala year that really celebrates the Savoy in the Society's name. To kick this off to a fantastic start  the main show in 2011 will be an all new riotous production of HMS Pinafore using a refreshed script and an updated presentation of much of Sullivan's music. Audiences can expect hornpiping dancers, bawdy sailors, love sick ladies and a ships captain, foremast hand and First Sea Lord who really ought to know better. All within a delightful tale of love across the Victorian class divide. 

They have commissioned a reworking of Gilbert and Sullivans neglected opera "Princess Ida". This delightful work contains some of Sullivan's best music, unfortunately, not heard as much as it should be probably because Gilbert wrote the spoken words of the piece in blank verse. The plot involving wayward Princes, very independently minded young women, men in women's clothes, warring heads of State and a "will they won't they" love story is, therefore, ripe for an update. Peter Harris, who took a satirical swipe at UK national politics recently in the G&S inspired Demokracy, premiered by the Society in 2007, will write the words to a new book by John Woodward-Roberts.  The SSC will present the show in November 2011.