formerly Bournemouth Gilbert & Sullivan Operatic Society
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Bournemouth GaSP – Gilbert & Sullivan, Grand Opera, Musical Theatre
WELCOME.
We are Bournemouth Gilbert and Sullivan Productions, better known as Bournemouth GaSP. We are a friendly Bournemouth based award winning group, who enjoy performing shows from Gilbert & Sullivan. We are in the process of expanding to incorporate grand opera and modern musicals. We are extremely proud of our excellent reputation and produce major shows and concerts each year.
The spring concert will incorporate British and American musical theatre numbers and will include songs from My Fair Lady, Showboat, Les Miserables and Die Fledermaus as well as songs from Gilbert & Sullivan’s Iolanthe.
Concert Dates & Venues
Wednesday 10th April 2019
Allendale Community Centre, Wimborne
Thursday 11th April 2019
Pelham’s Leisure Centre, Kinson, Bournemouth
Friday 12th April 2019
Regent Centre, Christchurch
Saturday 13th April 2019
Beaufort Community Centre, Iford, Bournemouth
Main Show
Bournemouth Gilbert & Sullivan Productions
(Bournemouth GaSP)
Presents:
Iolanthe
Coming to: Lighthouse, Poole – October 2019.
Synopsis
Twenty-five years after her banishment from Fairyland for marrying a mortal, a crime usually punishable by death, Iolanthe has been pardoned. She had a son by this illicit marriage, Strephon, who is, therefore, half mortal and half fairy. He is in love with Phyllis whom he is determined to marry. However, in order to do so he needs the consent of her guardian, the Lord Chancellor, who shows little enthusiasm for the idea of his ward marrying a mere shepherd.
When Strephon turns to his mother for comfort, Phyllis misinterprets their intimacy (as a fairy Iolanthe has not physically aged beyond a certain point) and, believing him to be unfaithful, she renounces her love for him. Although he protests that Iolanthe is his mother, his claims are met with derision by Phyllis and the peers (who are unaware of his parentage) and even the intervention of the Queen of the Fairies cannot persuade them otherwise. Furious at their attitude, she declares that Strephon will enter Parliament and will work to overthrow all the privileges enjoyed by the nobility, a job at which Strephon is successful.
However, he finds it no substitute for Phyllis and, with no further reason to conceal it, he reveals his fairy origins to her. This explains Iolanthe’s apparent youth and the couple become re-engaged. At Strephon’s request, Iolanthe puts their case to the Lord Chancellor, but has to disguise herself before doing so as, unbeknown to him, he is her mortal husband and she is forbidden to enlighten him under pain of death. Unfortunately, when he declares that he has decided to marry Phyllis himself, she is forced to reveal her true identity although this will mean forfeiting her life. However, when it emerges that the other fairies have committed the ultimate offence and married the peers (i.e. mortals), the Lord Chancellor suggests that the law be amended so that it is a crime for any fairy not to marry a mortal. The Queen happily selects a mortal for herself and invites the whole company to join her in Fairyland.
Spring concert tickets are now on sale. Wednesday 10th April 2019 19:30 Allendale Community Centre, Wimborne Book Here Thursday 11th April 2019 19:30 Pelham’s Leisure Centre, Kinson, Bournemouth Book Here Friday 12th April 2019 19:30 Regent Centre, Christchurch Book Here Saturday 13th April 2019 19:30 Beaufort Community Ctr, Iford, Bournemouth Book Here
The rehearsal schedule for the spring concerts has now been added to the Members Area. Monday rehearsals will be with Bruce until Helen is free to take over. Wednesday rehearsals will all be with Helen. See the Rehearsals Page in the Members Area for full details.
About Us
We have recently re-launched as Bournemouth GaSP having formerly been known as Bournemouth Gilbert & Sullivan Operatic Society. As our name suggests we are based in Bournemouth, Dorset and perform at major venues across Dorset, including Lighthouse in Poole , the Regent Centre in Christchurch and the Barrington Theatre in Ferndown. There is something going on year round and we have regular social events too!
Award winners
We have won best in category Accolade of Excellence awards from National Operatic & Dramatic Association (NODA) as well as winning several awards at The International Gilbert & Sullivan Festivals.
Charity donations
We are a charitable organisation and we support our community by giving generous donations to local charities which have included: Macmillan Caring Locally,The Dorset ME Support Group, Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy and New Forest and District Sailability.
Join us
Performing membership is open to anyone who passes an audition but we also welcome non-acting members to help behind the scenes with props, scenery construction and general administration. If you would like to be part of the fun, as a performer or helper then please click here to contact us.
More information about joining Bournemouth GaSP can be found by clicking here.
Rehearsals
Rehearsals are primarily held on Wednesday evenings (19:30 – 22:00) with additional rehearsals called during the run up to a show.
Rehearsals are held at the following venue.
Iford United Reformed Church Hall,
Ropley Road
Bournemouth
BH7 6RU