Waterloo Regional Gilbert & Sullivan Society
Past Productions
Princess Ida (Or, Castle Adamant)
"Isn't your life extremely flat with nothing whatever to grumble at!"
—Act III, Princess Ida
Princess Ida is a comic operetta from the celebrated team of Sir Arthur Sullivan (Music) and Sir W.S. Gilbert (Libretto). See poster.
The production was fully staged and costumed, with a 20 Piece Orchestra for 5 performances—May 19th to 21st, 2011 at the Humanities Theatre, University of Waterloo. See review by François Labbé.
Directed by Laura Schatz, award-winning Stage Director for Toronto's St. Anne's Music & Drama Society.
Music direction by Debra Lacoste, Ph.D. (Music—W.L.U.) & Martin Lacoste (Head of Music—Bluevale C.I.)
THE STORY: Prince Hilarion had been married in babyhood to Princess Ida, daughter of King Gama. The Princess, however, has set up a college for women from which all men are barred. Hilarion and his friends infiltrate the castle and ultimately the men, led by Hilarion's father, King Hildebrand, stage a full-scale invasion. Check the Gilbert & Sullivan Archive to learn more.
The Weather Report
Come Rain or Come Shine we'll be Singing In the Rain
→ Friday, April 1st, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
This climatological centrepiece, themed as a live audience radio broadcast, showcased the Waterloo Regional G&S Ensemble at the Great Hall, Luther Village on the Park.
Production Team: D.Kuehl and D. Naish
Director: Annetta Whetham
Accompanists: Katrina Lowe and Heather Morris
Sing the Joys of Christmas!
Click to see larger image
→ Sunday, November 28th 2010 at 2:00 p.m.
A wonderful Christmas Concert presented by the Waterloo Regional Gilbert & Sullivan Ensemble. Soprano Judith Bean was the featured guest.
The ingredients included some beautiful new music, classic favorites—both sacred and popular, and a dash or two (or more) of comedy. The program showcased the full ensemble as well as trios, quartets, and small group performances.
Director: Annetta Whetham
Accompanists: Katrina Lowe & Rebecca Booker
Masonic Symbols in Gilbert & Sullivan
→ Tuesday, October 26th at 7:30 p.m.
The Waterloo Regional Gilbert & Sullivan Society hosted Raymond S. J. Daniels at the St. Jacob's Country Playhouse. Ray spoke on the Masonic Symbols in Gilbert & Sullivan.
The Story of Love
→ Sunday, May 2, 2010 at 1:00 p.m.
The Gilbert & Sullivan Ensemble's Spring Show at Luther Village on the Park brought together food, music, and song depicting both the serious and fun aspects of love in all its glory.
Director: Annetta Whetham
Accompanist: Rachel Pallant
Switched at Birth
Switched at Birth, at The Registry Theatre on February 24th to 27th 2010, was a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process and all things Gilbert & Sullivan.
Congratulations to President, Frank Parks, for penning, performing, and producing a show that witnesses the backstage and onstage hi-jinx that go into getting a show from the page to the stage. See poster.
He "took on the central role of Father Philip Daniels, who lovingly shepherds the colourful personalities that make up the Streatham–Leads Operatic Guild (SLOG) to a successful opening night."
"The result was a funny, delightful production that contained many clever lines and situations that could be immediately recognized by anyone who has ever been involved with community theatre."
Sing We Now of Christmas!
→ Sunday, November 29, 2009 at 2:00 p.m.
The annual Christmas show, held at Faith Evangelical Missionary Church in Kitchener, featured the premiere of "A G&S Christmas in Waterloo County"—a comedic skit that twisted and turned the works of Gilbert and Sullivan.
Click to see larger image
Click to see larger image
The program was a broad mix of wonderful songs—sacred and popular—well-loved tunes from the past and bright new ones just waiting to become a favourite Christmas carol. Tenor Wayne Berwick was a special guest. See poster.
Director: Annetta Whetham
Accompanist: Rachel Pallant
Just for You II: An Autumn Afternoon with the Artists
Rachel and Colin
The Waterloo Regional Gilbert & Sullivan Society presented an afternoon concert featuring Colin Ainsworth and Rachel Cleland-Ainsworth on Sunday, October 4 at 2:00 p.m. at The Great Hall, Luther Village in Waterloo. This vibrant Canadian tenor-soprano duo performed Opera, Operetta, and Broadway. See poster.
Coffee House Cabaret
→ Saturday, May 2, 2009, ~6:30 p.m.
The Gilbert & Sullivan Ensemble presented an evening of folk tunes from the 60's & 70's at the fireplace room at the 404 Wing Rotary Adult Centre, 510 Dutton Dr., Waterloo. See poster.
Director: Annetta Whetham
Accompanist: Rebecca Booker
Christmas Tapestry
→ Sunday, November 30, 2008 at 2:00 p.m.
→ Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
The Annual Christmas Show of the Gilbert & Sullivan Ensemble was presented in two venues in 2008: the Waterloo North Mennonite Church and the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse.
Featuring full ensemble and small group performances, the show included sacred and popular songs for the holiday season, an audience sing-along, and the traditional cider and desserts at intermission. See the poster for full details.
Director: Annetta Whetham
Accompanist: Rebecca Booker
Anniversary Performance
→ Saturday, October 25, 2008 at 8:00 p.m.
The Gilbert & Sullivan Ensemble performed at the 175th anniversary celebrations of The Church of the Good Shepherd in Kitchener.
Director & Accompanist: Rebecca Booker.
A Spring Dinner Show
→ Saturday, April 5, 2008, at 7:00 p.m.
The Gilbert & Sullivan Ensemble presented Richard Rodgers & Friends at the 404 Wing Rotary Adult Centre in Waterloo. See poster.
Director: Annetta Whetham
Accompanist: Rebecca Booker
Topsy-Turvy
The Waterloo Regional Gilbert & Sullivan Society presented a free screening of Mike Leigh's Academy® Award-winning film, Topsy-Turvy, on Saturday, March 1, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
It's Time for Carolling
The Annual Christmas Show of the Gilbert & Sullivan Ensemble.
→ Sunday, December 9, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Featured choral selections and small group performances, including seasonal favourites (both sacred and popular), an audience sing-along, and our traditional cider and desserts.
Director: Annetta Whetham
Accompanist: Rebecca Booker
The Waterloo North Mennonite Church
100 Benjamin Road East, Waterloo, Ontario
An Autumn Celebration
→ Friday, October 19, 2007.
The Gilbert & Sullivan Ensemble performed a fund-raising concert for the historic Norfolk Street United Church in downtown Guelph.
The Ensemble presented an eclectic mix of Gilbert & Sullivan, popular songs, old chestnuts, broadway tunes, classics, and songs with heart and soul.
Members of the group were featured in solos, duets, trios, and small groups in addition to full choral numbers.
Just for You: A September Afternoon with the Artists
Emily Hamper, Accompanist
Colin Ainsworth, Tenor
Rachel Cleland-Ainsworth, Soprano
→ Sunday, September 30, 2007
The Waterloo Regional G&S Society presented Colin Ainsworth and Rachel Cleland-Ainsworth in concert at The Great Hall, Luther Village, 139 Father David Bauer Dr., Waterloo.
They were accompanied by Emily Hamper, an alumna of the prestigious Merola Opera Program of the San Francisco Opera.
© 2011. Waterloo Regional Gilbert & Sullivan Society.