We spent a frantic and packed day with the organisers of the Gilbert and Sullivan Festival in Buxton. We went behind the scenes to see how this wonderfully unique yearly event is run and to see how the excellent Plymouth Gilbert and Sullivan fellowship did with their performance of Ruddigore.

The International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival is by far the world’s biggest celebration of Gilbert & Sullivan, attracting around 20,000 people during its three week run.

The main evening performances take place in Buxton Opera House. Opened in 1903, it has just over 900 seats and in terms of ambience and aesthetics provides a perfect setting for Gilbert & Sullivan.

The Opera House shows are staged by both professional and non-professional companies. Professional Companies include the Festival’s very own Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company.

The non-professional companies from around the world participate in the highly prestigious International Festival Competition, with each production being assessed by the adjudicator, David Turner.

Five minutes after each performance, David delivers a short critique from the stage – providing a highly constructive insight into the production and performance. The group scoring the highest number of points is declared the winner.

Come with us and wade through the ever colourful and flamboyant history of G&S at Gilbert and Sullivan: A Motley Pair >>