About the Jorvik Gilbert and Sullivan Company

The Jorvik Gilbert and Sullivan Company is an inclusive theatre Company solely dedicated to performing the works of William Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan in the York area. The Company produces full staged productions, as well as miscellaneous concerts and semi-staged (concert) performances.

The Jorvik Gilbert and Sullivan Company - August 2009 - Cast of Patience [enlarge]

The Company was established by Helen and Nick Lay, Clare Rachel Greener, and Matthew Collins, four former members of the University of York Gilbert and Sullivan Society in July 2007. The Company's Musical Director is Matthew Collins, who has directed the majority of the Gilbert and Sullivan repertoire, including Princess Ida, Patience, The Gondoliers, Iolanthe, The Sorcerer, Trial By Jury, The Mikado and The Pirates of Penzance as well as selections from all of the other shows. He holds an MA in Vocal Studies (specialising in accompaniment) from the University of York, where he was a former Musical Director of the University Society, and he is Head of Music at the De Costa Academy of Singing in York, and Director of Music at Howden Minster.

The Company has built up a core repertoire of popular solos, ensembles and choruses which it uses to produce "Gilbert and Sullivan Selection" concerts in churches, village halls and other venues in the region. Jorvik GSC made its debut public performance in Heslington Church in March 2008, followed by concert performaces of Iolanthe (complete and with dialogue) in April of that year. Since then the Company has performed in many venues in the region and has also produced a concert performance of The Sorcerer.

Over the summer of 2009, The Company prepared its debut fully-staged production, Patience, for five performances in the Joseph Rowntree Theatre in September 2009. This production, albeit on a limited budget, received a highly favourable critique from Martin Dreyer in the York Press, and was played to good houses for each performance, even generating a small profit. For further details, see our show archive.

In March 2010 the Company performed concerts of Trial By Jury in York and returned to The Joseph Rowntree Theatre in September 2010 with The Mikado. 2011 saw a new development, two very well received Sing-a-long-a-Pirates of Penzance concerts and our third fully staged show, Princess Ida.

The Company is an amateur Company, and welcomes members of all ages and abilities; the fundamental aim of the Company is to be fully inclusive to everyone. We do not hold auditions for chorus members as we believe anyone who wants to turn up and sing should be able to! Whether you've never sung G&S music before or you're a G&S addict we would love you to come and join us. We rehearse on Monday evenings in Huntington Methodist Church from 7.30pm-9.30pm and ask for a small charge of £2 per rehearsal to cover our expenditure (attendance at your first rehearsal is free of charge!). For our main show fee, there is a show fee rather than a weekly charge.

Anyone is welcome to attend drop into any of our rehearsals to see what goes on. If you are interested in joining us, would like to book the Company for a concert or event, or would like further information, you can also contact us either by e-mail at info@jorvikgsc.org.uk, by phone on (01757) 705258, or write to us at 'Jorvik GSC', c/o 23 Oak Way, Selby, YO8 8RL.