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!

The first public performance by the ‘Savoyards Appreciation Society-West Yorkshire’ was Iolanthe at the Todmorden Hippodrome, and so, fifty years later, we have chosen Iolanthe as our anniversary touring production. The tour begins on Saturday 6 September at the Penistone Paramount and continues each weekend and into October visiting Settle, Richmond, Bingley and Scarborough. Full details below.

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!