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The Eastbourne and District Gilbert and Sullivan Society's inauguration took place on the 13th February 1968. 51 members of the public turned up to join. Another 12 members who were unable to attend sent in their apologies. A very large following for a newly formed Society.
It was reported by the Hon. Secretary, that by the 11th March 1969, 64 applicants had auditioned and had been accepted for singing membership and 33 non-singing members. During 1968 and 1969 the Society performed many concerts at the Congress Theatre and the Winter Garden; 'Gilbert and Sullivan For All' being the most successful of concerts. In 1970 the Society performed their first major production of The Pirates of Penzance which was to have been at the Pier Theatre, Eastbourne, but unfortunately it was a victim to an arson attack and was burnt down. The Society was offered the Royal Hippodrome and from that first performance many productions were to follow. The last production in 1987 at the Royal Hippodrome was Pinafore Plus. The Society was then offered The Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne. Their first production there was Ruddigore and they have been proud to perform there every year since.
In the past the Society has tried to keep productions in the true traditional manner which has pleased many of our followers but, to keep Gilbert and Sullivan alive, it has been necessary to occasionally give our productions that little bit extra! Our first "adventure" was in 1994 with a production of Broadway Pirates. Following on from that, in the year 2000, the Society presented The Hot Mikado.
In 2003 the Society invited the renowned international ex D’Oyly Carte baritone, Alistair Donkin to play the role of Jack Point in The Yeomen of the Guard to celebrate the Society’s 35th Birthday and in 2006 Alistair was invited back to stage direct The Gondoliers.
Over the past 40 years the Society has been involved in raising awareness and much needed monies for many many charities. Each year the Society donates from the sale of programmes to the many charities as listed in our programme. The Bandstand Concerts have been instrumental in providing entertainment on the sea front and at the same time raising money for Hazel Court School for Children with learning disabilities.
List of Charities Supported by Eastbourne G & S Society:
In memory of Ian Gow Northern Ireland Fund
Hazel Court School for Children with Learning Disabilities
Beating Bowel Cancer formally known as The Crocus Trust
Royal National Lifeboat Institute
The Farm Aid Appeal to help through the Foot and Mouth Crisis
“CRY” Cardiac Risk in the Young
Respiratory Unit at Eastbourne District General Hospital
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund
N.C.H. The Children’s Charity
Tsunami Appeal
The Friends of the Eastbourne District General Hospital
National Operatic and Dramatic Association
Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS UK)
St. Wilfrid’s Hospice
Multiple Sclerosis Society
OASIS
Help For Heroes
The Radiotherapy Unit at Eastbourne DGH
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