We performed the Pirates of Penzance from the 12th to 14th of March 2015 in Round Hill Primary School. Here are the video captions of these shows! Enjoy them! 😉
Category Archives: The Gilbert & Sullivan society
Editorial
Charlotte Hall, President
Welcome, all of our pirates, fair maidens, and major generals! On behalf of the committee, I would like to thank you so much for joining us for our performance of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance.
The Gilbert and Sullivan Society started its 42nd year with an uphill struggle, with a grand total of five members. Now as anyone who is familiar with Gilbert and Sullivan’s elaborate plots and extensive choruses will know, five people with the best will in the world does not a G&S show make. So after the emails, the shout-outs and the tears, we had ourselves a fantastic new intake of singers, a musical director, director and a show!
This is our first time at Round Hill, and we’re thrilled to be here, in a new, exciting space. Our creative team this year have been fantastically dedicated, enthusiastic and encouraging, and I’d like to thank our wonderful director Alex and musical director Tim, on behalf of all the cast. Thank you to everyone who has contributed towards this show. We hope you enjoy the show!
Alex Grosse, Director
Dear friends and family, dear audience, With Pirates of Penzance I attempt my directing debut and I think I couldn’t have chosen better. The pace of the story and the wit of the characters would stand on their own and would make for wonderful entertainment without adding a lot.
However, with as great a cast as I could work we were able to add our own little touches here and there and thus, hopefully, enhance the enjoyment for our audience. The process was not always easy, though. We started out with as little as ten people and no musical director. And this for a show with three individual choruses next to the principal roles. It borders a wonder that week by week more people joined building a full blown cast who does this wonderful show its favour. Everybody worked very hard and it is a pleasure for all of us to present to you the fruit of our labour in one short but intense week. Thank you very much for joining us on this more-ridiculous-
than-not journey back to Victorian ages.
Timothy Cowell Selman, Musical Director
Timothy Cowell Selman is a current undergraduate student at the University of Nottingham, reading music. Primarily a pianist and avid composer, conducting and directing is the aspect of music which he wants to do the most. He cur-
rently sings in the choir of St Peter’s Church, Nottingham and has played percussion in the Nottingham Symphony
Orchestra. His other activities include playing the clarinet, playing percussion and timpani in various orchestras both inside and outside the university, and playing the drums in various musical settings ranging from jazz to alternative genres.
“The Gilbert and Sullivan Society position of Musical Director really was a blessing in disguise, as they needed a Musical Director, and so I took up the offer without really knowing what it entailed. Having worked the cast and chorus very hard, I don’t think they really knew what having me as Musical Director entailed either! Either way, I am proud to present what now is an excellent company is working in perfect (and sometimes not so perfect) harmony with me as Musical Director and Conductor of this year’s production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance!”
The organisation team
To do this year of rehearsals, music, stage props, events, silly choregraphy, singing and of course shows, our society needs organisation members! Here they are:
Charlotte Hall
I cannot believe that it’s already been a year since I became President of the Gilbert and Sullivan Society. This year has been filled with highs and lows, and there were times when I didn’t think we’d survive until this point, but I’m so glad that I am able to pass the baton to such a enthusiastic, creative, and wonderful group of people in our new committee. My role as President has been largely administration work, starting with the Fresher’s Fair stall and welcome event we ran in September. From this, we had some new faces: some familiar with G&S already, and some discovering just how crazy it all is! I spent the first few weeks of the term in a bit of a panic, sending out emails, running around to different performing arts society events, and trying to reach more people. This was one of the busiest times for me, as after this most of the creativity and production work of the show itself came from our Director and Musical Director. This is my second year with G&S, and I’m so glad I found this society. We’re really inclusive, not requiring any auditions for chorus members, and the small, unique bunch of people who make it up makes it easy to know everyone and gives it a very family-like environment: you have your quieter people, your louder people, your eccentric people, your sensible people. But we’re all Gilbert and Sullivan people, and we’re all there with the same goal: to put on a great show, and, more importantly, to have as much fun as we possibly can. Thank you, Gilbert and Sullivan, for allowing me to meet so many wonderful people; and thank you to my members, for being just fantastic: it has been an honour to be your President this year.
Alexander Grosse-Honebrink
I started with Gilbert and Sullivan one year ago as a chorus member in the Mikado and I had lots of fun in this newly discovered part of musical life. So much as to join the society for another year and take over the responsibilities of the treasurer as administrative member of the society and as director in the artistic committee of the group.
As a treasurer I tried to get a production as cheap as possible but my director side always wanted to ignore this wish. So, I had some discussions with myself if we really need more black paint or this expensive duct tape which we could also buy cheaply in poundland. Finally, I think I found a good compromise between both worlds and we have a wonderful show with sparkly dresses, a pretty stage and at a wonderful location and all to a price that let’s my treasurer heart beat quicker. On top of that a cast a talented as mine is worth every penny.
I really enjoyed the last year in the society and I learnt a lot in both roles. I got to know great and helpful people at Uni and elsewhere without whom this production wouldn’t have been possible. If somebody asked me if they should consider doing the same I would without hesitation say: “Yes, of course. It will be a very hard year but the experience and the lovely moments you will get out of it are absolutely worth every drop of sweat and every sleepless night.”
Frea Waninge
Text coming soon
Tim Selman
When I first received the email from Charlotte, our president, asking for a Musical Director, naturally I was curious and so went along and took a rehearsal. I just thought it would be a small Monday night thing that would be somewhat casual and obviously build up to show time –how I was mistaken! After that one rehearsal, I fell in love with the operetta and immediately took on the reigns as Musical Director. Every Monday (and after Christmas, every Thursday and the occasional Saturday) I made the trek that it is from my house to Willoughby Dining hall, and worked everyone to the grindstone, with some slack however as I didn’t want to scare anyone off! It was slightly panicky towards about 6 weeks before show-week as we didn’t have a full men’s chorus, but we had an influx of people join, and so this upped our numbers. This then in turn made me feel I was justified having the size orchestra I had. After the many months and weeks of rehearsal and preparation – I certainly enjoyed my time in the Gilbert and Sullivan Society! After having done all the shows now, looking back, I don’t think I would have realised what it would entail – being Musical Director. However, equally I do not think the Cast and Chorus knew what it entailed having me as MD entailed either. Either way – I loved my year as MD, and hope they enjoyed having me!
Those who know me will all tell you that “Tim is, how can we put this? Ambitious?” or something to that effect; and with this production – I was no different. After having assumed the role of MD, I started planning my huge ideas and at Christmas, started to put them into effect, and so – the fledglings of the orchestra emerged. It was only until February did I actually finalise the list and confirm the people and start rehearsing – and I worked them hard for 5 weeks – culminating in the shows. Despite the lack of rehearsal time – every member of the orchestra worked hard, as hard as the cast I might add! – to produce the slick performance we put on when show week came around. Having said of my great plans for Pirates, I shall leave it up to you to decide and imagine what I have in store for next year’s production (hint: full brass section and more strings!).
In all, after all the long conversations with the President and Treasurer over the phone, firstly to repeatedly ask – “I am not going utterly mad am I?” or me to give consolation to them; this year’s production has been an absolute success. After the many many dedicated months of preparation and organisation from the Committee, and the many hours and weeks from the Cast and Chorus, and the month of solid rehearsal from the orchestra – It has been a pleasure and a delight to work with this amazing and talented eclectic mixture of people. So once more, we go forward on the foe, and I hope next year’s production will be a sell-out, as this year’s has been!
Anja Wiechmann
As a new member of the Gilbert & Sullivan Society of the University of Nottingham, who never joined a theatre society before, I am learning a lot about combination of singing, acting and stage building. However, since I wanted to help our society for the next show independent of performing on stage, I tried to raise money by contacting several potential sponsors by giving them information about our play and what they could gain for themselves in return. Our play will take place in Beeston, so I decided to approach several local shops that might be interested in cheap advertisement and I found one supplying drinks for our show. When performing in a couple of weeks, I hope that even though after approaching more than 20 shops in Beeston and who sadly could not be convinced to sponsor the show, people of those shops will remember me talking about “The Pirates of Penzance” and will come to watch our play. And maybe next year they will be keener on sponsoring the Gilbert & Sullivan Society.
Florence Jessica Annan Lowe
Florence has been involved in theatre since she was seven and a drama queen since birth (according to her incredibly supportive chauffeurs , or parents as they prefer to be known.) In that time she has held just about every job involved in putting on a play from acting to directing, producing to front of house, orchestra, prop design, backstage and costumes, but so far nobody’s let her anywhere near lights or sound which is probably a good thing. She was bought a sewing machine for he 19th birthday and has been mistress of the costumery several times. She moved to Nottingham to undertake a PHD Molecular Biology. She joined the Gilbert and Sullivan crew this year to manage front of house and wield the keys to the dressing up box.
Ronja Breitkopf
I am a 2nd year PhD student in Microbiology at the University of Nottingham.
Furthermore, I am a member of the Beeston Musical Theatre Group (BMTG) and love being both on- and back-stage. Already during G&S’s last show (The Mikado) I volunteered doing the lighting which was the first time for me and quite an experience. Therefore, when I was asked again this time, I could not say no and now looking forward to a great show
During the shows…
We really enjoyed to perform these shows and here are some… proofs! 😉
We also have some audio-video proofs on our vine account, as you can see below!
Of course, after working so long and so hard on a work as the Pirates, our minds are full of recurrent musics and musical phrases… here are some of them:
Our Cast
You will see them this evening and until Saturday evening, our great cast this year is composed by:
FREDERICA
Frea Waninge
Frea, a final year PhD student in linguistics originally from the Netherlands, still considers joining this merry band of pirates one of the best decisions of her stay in the UK. She was thrilled last year to sing the contralto part in her first ever G&S production, and because she’d been going on forever about secretly being a tenor in disguise she was given an actual tenor part this year! Playing Frederica, an enthusiastic, somewhat gullible and slightly blunt pirate prentice has been an absolutely brilliant experience!
MABEL
Charlotte Hall
Charlotte is a second year medical student who, originally from Leicestershire, was drawn into the Gilbert and Sullivan Society after being first introduced at school, in the same piratical fashion, but playing Edith! After an exciting production of the Mikado as Yum Yum last year, she has really enjoyed returning for seconds this year, taking on the role of Mabel: a fun, wonderfully melodramatic character who seemingly prefers singing arias to actually getting anything done
PIRATE KING
Adam Richard Francis-Xavier Jasko
When I was but a lad, I was invited to a fancy dress party. I couldn’t decide on a costume so my father gave me a coat, stuck a tricorn on my head and a sheath knife at my side. That day was born a love of pirates that has only grown with time. Naturally, when I saw a stall at the Fresher’s Fair with Charlotte dressed as a pirate behind it I had to enquire further. Though I knew little of Gilbert and Sullivan, I had sung with barbershop quartet and he uni-choir so I thought I’d try it out. I’m so glad I did.
MAJOR GENERAL STANLEY
Raphaël Velt
Raphael first heard of Gilbert and Sullivan after moving across the Channel to start his PhD in Computer Science almost two years ago. He came to the society to improve his English whilst having fun, so he had a penalty fiftyfold with a song-long tongue twister in his first role last year as the Mikado. This year he shall sing even more words in a super fast manner as our beloved Modern Major General!
RUTH
Makenzi Crouch
Makenzi is a phD student in the School of English, studying Shakespeare and the internetz. Originally from America, she’s been in the UK for the last five years. Her first G&S play was last year’s Mikado, in which she played the lovely and innocent Pitti-Sing. This year she intends to make use of her lower singing range and takes the stage as Ruth, piratical maid of ALL notes!
SERGEANT OF POLICE
Matthew Hammonds
Matthew is studying for a Masters Degree in History. He has long had an interest in Gilbert and Sullivan (Pirates of Penzance in particular) and joined the society straight away upon arrival at the University. He has taken part in various choral and theatrical productions, including a performance of Mozart’s Requiem at Chichester Cathedral, and appeared in Henry V at the Theatre Royal Winchester. He currently sings in the choir of St Giles Church, West Bridgford.
EDITH
Vicky Fendt
Vicky is a first year business and Chinese student who was drawn to the Gilbert and Sullivan society by the promise of danger and adventure in ‘The Pirates of Penzance’. What she got was a group of crazy pirates, scared policemen and ‘ladylike’ girls—in short: good friends, a lot of fun and an amazing experience!#
KATE
Ruby Hawley
Ruby is a first year English student who was dragged to her first G&S session by a friend, but had so much fun with these lovely people that she’s now here to stay. Her performing experience includes 14 years of youth theatre with Warwickshire County Music. Having previously mainly played villains, she’s enjoyed being Kate as it couldn’t be more of a contrast!
SAMUEL (vocal)
Jon Salt
Having just been freed from his own indentures, Jon was recruited by a certain Pirate King, and has since been regularly apprenticed to his band. In between acts of theft and pillage, and numerous hairfluffles, he is studying medical physiology and therapeutics and plays quidditch with a smattering of elemental strategy. He is ever waiting a first-rate opportunity o incorporate various obscure musical instruments into the production: oh joy, oh rapture!
SAMUEL (acting)
Emory Cunnington
Emory is a first year zoology student, who has always loves singing and silliness alike. She was inspired to join G&S by her parents (both former members) and has found it a great deal of fun! Emory was part of an amateur dramatics company for ~5 years, and also performed in the (famous) York mystery plays in 2012.
ISABEL
Anja Wiechmann
Anja is a final year PhD student of Molecular Microbiology. While writing her thesis she decided to take part in G&S to find a good balance between work and her free time. She has not been involved in any theatre/ musical society before but enjoys singing and acting so much that she’ll be continuing it wherever she ends up.
Chorus: Luke André
He is doing English with Creative Writing at Nottingham Trent and is in his last year. He was an actor in cr0n, as part of game city Nottingham, which was an interactive reality theatre spy game experience for the public (over a week) and now the game continues online. He is enjoying the pirates of penance with all his heart.
Chorus: Natalie Alice Barrat
Natalie is in the second year of her PhD in Molecular Microbiology. She is new to the world of Gilbert and Sullivan, but was previously a member of youth theatre groups run through Derby City Council Youth Service. She decided to join the University’s society as a way of challenging herself to try something different and make new friends.
Chorus: Hélène Velt
Pirates of Penzance offers a variety of characters that were too tempting to discover by singing and dancing so here am I! Like Wally, you’ll find me in different situations, among our great sing leaders and marvelous chorus! Hope you will enjoy the show as much we do!
Chorus: Ossian Huskinson
Ossian is a second year student studying Music, and if he’s not singing or rehearsing, he’s probably sleeping! Tonight he enjoys his first foray into the zany world of Gilbert and Sullivan, and looks forward to working again with the lovely people of the G&S society in the near future.
Chorus: Noreen Boyle
Noreen is a PhD student desperately trying to escape the wrath of her bacteria by sneakily joining the stage production of Pirates of Penzance with the G&S society. Her dogs currently refuse to talk to her as they have still not been granted permission to play parts as Polly, the Pirates’ Parrot, yet she is determined to fight for her right to sing. without them present. She might however try to dress them up and sneak them into the performance…can you spot them?
Chorus: Samuel Jacques Fallows (aka ‘Real Samuel’)
Sam is new to the Gilbert and Sullivan world and hopes to be a support to the society and the amazing actors and singers around him. He studied Creative and Professional Writing here at Nottingham and now works for a Christian group on campus called Student Life. He likes lots of attention but hopes it won’t all go to his head. He is just in the chorus after all!
Chorus: Alex Grosse
“Pirates of Penzance” is Alex’s second play with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society . The wit and fast pace as well as the ridiculous plot twists in both plays made him fall in love with the comedic duo to a state so he couldn’t say no to directing this years piratical show. Apart from that he enjoys pouring a bit of that pirate sherry while tarantaraing in marching pace over the stage with the rest of the chorus.
We don’t have their pictures but we have their names!! Here are our orchestra members!
Musical Director: Timothy Cowell Selman
Assistant Musical Director
Rebecca Temple
Violin:
Amanda Jenkins (leader)
Sienna-Rose Gray
Hendry Kong
Tan Jit Siang
Rebecca Temple
Viola:
Sam Cooper
Sarah Brialey
Cello:
Shannon Berridge
Stephanie Harris
Mark Armstrong
Flute:
Kate Gosschalk
Lucy Kerslake (picc)
Oboe:
Rebecca Noall
Clarinet:
Amy Hitchcock
Xianfeng Wu
French Horn:
Ella Jackson
Trumpet:
Oli Gordon
Trombone:
Gianluca de Bonis
Gilbert & Sullivan society 