We put on quite a few shows every year, catering for all levels of musical ability and always offering a lot of fun.
A semi-staged Concert Performance (or two) each year requires no auditions for the chorus. This is a chance for everyone to take part in a show; particularly if you can't dance! One of the concert performances is usually held early in May Week, with the few chorus rehearsals held earlier in the term when there is less exam pressure. Keen singers can audition for the solo roles, and once again there is less emphasis on acting ability than for the main shows.
The Main Cambridge Show in the middle of the Lent Term has now returned to its old home in Arts Theatre, having been held in the Cambridge Corn Exchange for three years while the Arts Theatre was being refurbished (1993-96). The G&S society shows are some of the largest student productions in Cambridge—they are always exciting and innovative. The commitment is high, but almost everyone who has been in a G&S show has loved the experience and most come back and perform again year after year.
During the summer, the infamous Cornwall Show takes place, usually in the open air Minack Theatre (see the forthcoming shows section for details of this year's summer show). The show is rehearsed for two weeks, followed by a one week run. The weather is usually great, the beaches are nearby and the performance is always stunning. It is difficult to stop people from coming back.
We also perform some light opera and musical theatre not written by Gilbert and Sullivan, including Orpheus in the Underworld in 2005.
The Grand Duke" was the final collaboration of Gilbert & Sullivan and for the last century it has been largely overlooked for the last century on account of its experimental score and rather convoluted plot; nonetheless the plot is full of many splendid characters and delightfully theatrical hysterics, while Sullivan's sparkling score contains many gems suggesting a shift towards the more Viennese style of operetta-writing.
This May Week we will be reviving this last great opus, (not performed in Cambridge for many many years) in a semi-staged concert performance in Newnham Old Labs, Wednesday 18th June at 1pm (followed, as ever, by our annual garden party), and we are looking for a talented cast to bring this exciting show to life. Telling the story of a humble actor who decides to take over the world and ends up with four wives in the process, with the help of sausage rolls, statutory duels and the game of roulette, "The Grand Duke" is definitely not to be missed!
Auditions for principle parts will take place on Wednesday 23 April and Friday 25 April, from 7 to 9pm in the Sidney Sussex Music Practice Room, next to the Knox Shaw room - there is a map here. There will be G&S music available there to sing. There are in total 15 principal parts of all shapes and sizes, including an ugly baroness, a melodramatic actress and the Grand Duke himself, all providing fantastic opportunities for great singers! Most principals will be expected to sing off-book and will have minimal costume & blocking; however, there are also a few smaller principal parts which will be taken from the chorus and will be sung on-book- so if you've never had a principal part before then this is your chance!
Anyone and Everyone is welcome to come and sing in the chorus, and we would like as many people as possible to be part of this show- it arguably offers the most for the chorus out of all of G&S works. The chorus will be singing from music, and above all we are hoping to create an enjoyable & low-commitment option for May Week with high musical standards. REHEARSALS will take place every Monday evening for the first half of Easter term, with a few final runs post-exams. If you would like to sing in the chorus please e-mail Producer Stephen Dilley (sd399) to be added to the list.
Please come prepared to deliver a short piece of dialogue which will be provided and to sing a song- you can bring your own music, or there will be a selection of music at the auditions. All are very much welcome! Both the Know-Shaw room and the Mong Hall are on the main site of Sidney Sussex College,.
This year's Minack show is Yeoman of the Guard. The current production team is as follows:
Auditions for the cast will take place on during the following times:
The following production team positions are currently open:
If you are interested in applying for one of these positions or would like some more information, please email the Technical Director, John Dilley (john.dilley@cantab.net). Deadline for applications is Friday 2nd May at 10pm. and interviews will take place on 3rd and 4th May.
As a major production role, you are likely to be needed a few days before the opening night to see rehearsals. Set building will start about 10 days before the show starts.
Applications for Production Electricians, Assistant Sound Designers and Assistant Stage Managers will open subsequently.
Note: Other positions, including Company Manager, will be opened at a later date
