The Society

THE GILBERT AND SULLIVAN SOCIETY OF VICTORIA Inc (Australia)

For over 87 years, the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Victoria has been delighting audiences with its productions of the operas of Gilbert and Sullivan and other works of light opera. We are one of the longest running theatrical organisations in Australia.

In this part of our website, you can learn more about the background workings of the Society, its members, and how to join.

The performing arm of the Society, Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Victoria (GSOV), generally performs in Melbourne and regional Victoria. GSOV has been critically acclaimed as Australia’s leading light opera company and at the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival in England in 2007, won several awards for its production of Patience. We also traveled to the Festival in 2011, performing Yeomen of the Guard and The Arcadians. Our members have traveled independently to the UK Festival, and also attend interstate festivals such as the Gilbert and Sullivan festival of South Australia in 2023.

TanTanTara!

The Society’s magazine, TanTanTara! is a professional-looking publication, produced four times a year and issued free to all members of the Society. It contains well-written and carefully researched articles about Gilbert and Sullivan, their world and their work, Gilbert and Sullivan in Australia, light opera in general. A separate section The Palace Peeper is for Society news.

Archive

The GSOV Archive is constantly being updated as new photos or other details are found. It is a record of every show we have ever performed.

You may also have information that can help us fill the gaps and you are welcome to share these with us. You can do this by logging on to this site and submitting them, or by emailing us at either of the contacts below:

• Webmaster or
• Archivist

Library and Physical Archive

We have a large collection of books, DVDs and CDs on the works of Gilbert, Sullivan, and their contemporaries donated largely by Bruce Doery and is available for members to borrow from.

Concert Party

An Evening with Gilbert and Sullivan

The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Victoria Concert Parties have proved to be an excellent source of revenue for fund-raising groups and for the Society. We have performed for Service Clubs, Church Guilds, Bowling Clubs etcetera.

If you are involved in, or are aware of, fund-raising groups that may be interested in having a Concert Party performance at their function, please contact us or pass on our contact details.

The Concert Party in its current format was established in the early 1980’s. Auditions are held, and a seasoned group of performers is waiting to entertain you.

A normal programme comprises a narration of the lives and collaboration of Gilbert and Sullivan, interspersed with excerpts from the 14 shows they co-wrote. Requests for particular items can usually be accommodated given two weeks notice.

Shorter, or tailored programmes are negotiable.

Email Us if you would like us to perform a concert party at your venue.