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Gilbert, Sullivan...and me

I seemed to have spent much of my life being dogged by Gilbert and Sullivan. I wouldn't describe myself as a fan, because that brings all sorts of stereotypes to mind (to my mind, at least). I do enjoy the Gilbert's words and Sullivan's music and can even claim two family connections with Gilbert himself. One is through his model of H.M.S. Queen, and the other is through Caroline Milliken, an early love of his.

I've collected Sullivan scores and other bits and pieces over the years as well.

While still at school I took part in a comic opera based on Gilbert's The Palace of Truth. Entitled, The Tangled Web, I played the part of Mephistogar. You can hear some of the recording I made during performances in November 1975, see photos of the cast and read about Gilbert's play.

While at university I completed a project on Sir Arthur Sullivan's grand opera Ivanhoe. I've started to put this up on the Web, but it's taking a long time.

In 1976/77 and 1977/78 I was a member of the Royal Holloway College Savoy Opera Society. First as a member of the chorus, and later as producer of Gilbert and Sullivan's Ruddygore, with the now well-known soprano Susan Bullock in the role of Rose Maybud. I've put up some photos and mp3s of those performances.