A touring company bringing the operas of Gilbert & Sullivan to life
Thank you to our wonderful audiences who supported us in 2025.
We are now looking forward to our 2026 tour
The Pirates of Penzance!
The Pirates are coming!
Pictures from our most recent tour with The Pirates of Penzance
“The best G & S performance.I have ever seen! … Superb performances of G&S operettas…. (The ‘Savs’) capture the inherent humour and satire so incredibly well, and are an absolute joy to watch…. A visual spectacle as much as theatrical and musical - their performances are an absolute joy to witness.”
A few of the many wonderful comments from audiences at our most recent touring production, ‘Iolanthe’ (more comments below).
This September and October we take to the road once again with one of the most popular G&S operas, The Pirates of Penzance. Swashbuckling, fast-paced and packed with satirical wit and musical excellence, The Pirates of Penzance is filled with Sullivan's memorable melodies and quick-fire humour. This audience favourite is pure joy from start to finish.
The West Yorkshire Savoyards is drawn together from experienced singers and actors from companies throughout the north of England and is noted for its high standard of production. Directing ‘Pirates’ is local comic-actor and ‘patter-man’, Graham Weston, a firm favourite with audiences across the region. His touring production of The Pirates of Penzance promises to come alive in a dramatically staged masterpiece of music and comic timing. The production includes full sets, costumes and orchestra conducted by musical director, Oliver Longstaff.
Watch this space for further details and ticket information in the next few weeks
Celebrating 50 years with Iolanthe….
“I can honestly say it was by far the best production of Iolanthe that I have ever sat and watched. From the truly superb opening scene, I was entranced throughout.”
“Best G & S performance.I have ever seen!”
What the audiences for our 2025 tour with Iolanthe said ….
More feedback from our audiences …
“A recently bereaved friend and I visited Penistone Paramount last week relishing some G and S. We were astounded. G &S were outshone by the Savoyards. Absolutely fantastic. Well done.”
“It was another excellent performance. So much energy- and you all looked like you were having fun!”
“A brilliant show!”
“Wonderful performance by all!”
“Congratulations on a super show. A great start for the tour.”
“We loved seeing Iolanthe, it was such a joyful production with the whole cast obviously having great fun!”
" I saw the performance of Iolanthe this afternoon, and, as with every other Savoyards performance, it was outstanding. Clever, funny and talented doesn't begin to describe their work. One of the highlights of my year, I can't wait to hear what they will be bringing us next year. Thank you to everyone involved.🥰"
In the news
We have been making the news with a feature in the Yorkshire Post celebrating 50 years of trhe West Yorkshire Savoyards.. more on our ‘latest news page’ - click here
Throughout 2025 we have been celebrating ‘50 years on the road’
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Ruddigore at Buxton
We had a fabulous show at the Buxton Gilbert and Sullivan Festival on August 7th with a full house and a wonderful audience. Our first chairman was the late, great Ian Smith who, nineteen years later, had the vision for an international Gilbert and Sullivan Festival. Members of the Savoyards were instrumental in helping to start and build up the festival and it was to celebrate our long ties with the Fdstival that we brought Graham Weston’s wonderful production to the Pavilion Theatre… pictures and links to the video to follow!
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Iolanthe - our autumn touring production
The first public performance by the ‘Savoyards Appreciation Society-West Yorkshire’ was Iolanthe at the Todmorden Hippodrome, and so, fifty years later, we chose Iolanthe as our anniversary touring production. The tour began on Saturday 6 September at the Penistone Paramount and continued each weekend and into October visiting Settle, Richmond, Bingley and Scarborough.
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Celebrating in style- Oulton Hall 50th Celebration
Celebrating our 50th anniversary in style on Sunday 29 June, more than 65 members and former members gathered at Oulton Hall nr Leeds for a Gala 50th birthday party. With entertainment from our special guests, President, Bruce Graham and long time director, Alistair Donkin, singing a-plenty, reminiscences from our early members, presentations, displays, programmes and posters and a special NODA award to long time accompanist Margaret Wood on her retirement. Here’s to the next 50 years!
Find out more about the West Yorkshire Savoyards
If you would like to know more about us, join the Savs or hire equipment, then let us know by visiting our Contact Page