History

The Gilbert & Sullivan Society, Waterloo Regional Branch, celebrated its 30th Anniversary with a full-scale production of The Mikado at St. Jacobs Country Playhouse in Waterloo, Ontario. Alex Mustakas, Artistic Director of Drayton Entertainment, directed this production. He has been a valued member of the Society since he was a youth.

In the Beginning

The Society was established in 1975 as a not-for-profit charitable organization. The original members of the Society were keen to keep alive the wonderful works of W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, and, where possible, to present them to local audiences. The five founders were Graeme Allwood, Raymond S.J. Daniels, Dr. Walter Kemp, John Kerr, and Brant Smith. Thirty-five people attended the inaugural meeting and the charter members of the Society were registered with the original Gilbert & Sullivan Society, D'Oyly Carte, in London, England.

First Productions

After an initial performance of Trial By Jury at the Kitchener Public Library, the Society presented the following operatic works at the Humanities Theatre, University of Waterloo:

  • Ruddigore
  • The Mikado (2)
  • The Sorcerer
  • The Yeomen of the Guard (2)
  • Trial By Jury

As well, the Society has presented Guys and Dolls at the Humanities Theatre, the premiere of Jamboree! at the Drayton Festival Theatre, and numerous variety shows and even a travelling troupe for a short time.

Co-productions of Patience and H.M.S. Pinafore were joint efforts with Drayton as well as orchestral sponsorship for Pirates of Penzance.

Other Endeavours

Over thirty years have disappeared in the twinkling of an eye. In the words of W.S. Gilbert, let us hope that the future may be "that which now is the far-off horizon, in fruitful promise be exceeded only by that which will have opened, in the meantime, into a new and glorious horizon!" (The Sorcerer, Act I).