A rare opportunity to discover a collection of neglected one-act plays from W.S Gilbert.

As a young barrister W.S. Gilbert found himself waiting for all too infrequent briefs. Instead, he turned to writing and soon after was earning his living as a playwright and librettist. Mostly remembered today for his collaboration with Arthur Sullivan, he nevertheless continued to write plays, his last, The Hooligan, was completed just four months before his death.

This collection demonstrates his differing interests and styles and hold the stage well today:

Link to a podcast discussion with On-Staging:
Directors Naomi Tooby and Danielle Zuccala chat to Kyle Gould
Directors Ben Klein and Sarah Berry chat to Kyle Gould

Comedy and Tragedy

Directed by Ben Klein
An actress finds a deadly solution to her tricky romantic situation.

Clarice de Quillacq – Sara Dimech-Betancourt
Philippe de Quillacq – Sam Hargreaves
Pauline – Heidi Lupprian
Josephine – Christine Bridge
Docteur Choquart – John Parncutt
Duc d’Orleans – Cyrus Raco
Cardinal Dubois – Kevin Yap
(Other roles to be added when cast)

The Hooligan

Directed by Naomi Tooby
A condemned man pleads for justice.

Nat Solly – Josh Weaver
Warder Mathers – John Parncutt
Warder Joe – Cyrus Raco
Chief Warder – Bruce Packard
1st Warder – Diana Burleigh
2nd Warder – Anna Castle
Doctor – Philip Liberatore
Chaplain – Timofey Alexandrov

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

Directed by Sarah Berry
In a parody of Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’, Rosencrantz and Ophelia scheme to get rid of Hamlet so they can be together.

King Claudius – Bruce Packard
Queen Gertrude – Christine Bridge
Hamlet – Timofey Alexandrov
Rosencrantz – Kevin Yap
Guildenstern – Cyrus Raco
Ophelia – Sara Dimech-Betancourt

Creatures of Impulse

Directed by Danielle Zuccala
A fairy toys with guests at an inn for her own devious pleasure.

Sergeant Klooque – Kevin Yap
Boomblehardt – John Parncutt
Peter – Sam Hargreaves
Martha – Anna Castle
Pipette – Heidi Lupprian
A Strange Old Lady – Diana Burleigh
Villagers – Philip Liberatore, Christine Bridge

PERFORMANCES

5 Performances at The Malvern Theatre

Tickets for “A Festival of W.S.Gilbert Plays” are now on sale!

29 Burke Road, East Malvern 3145

Thursday 21st November, 8pm
Friday 22nd November, 8pm
Saturday, 23rd November, 2pm
Saturday, 23rd November, 8pm
Sunday, 24th November, 2pm

All four plays are presented at every performance.
Running time approx 2 hours including an interval.

A Festival of W.S. Gilbert Plays